


t 








































I 



f 


t 




\ 


% 







• I 


. »» 


1 


I! 









* 4 
< 


. ' ■- 

Tv' .: .• " 


C'* 


I . 


Jii 






' .IK . \ 

» - ■ , r .•• -'w ♦'?•*. ■• 

\. - *va?;s 




#w<** 


•». 

• • s 


• *>:■. 




•I* ’ 



■*S - . . 

•. *i,' * i» 


• ( 



\ 





> 


Y . 



« 


I 


u 






/ 


I 






/rr 


K 


w' 














SWISS FAMILY 


]1 




ROBINSON 


/ 

'Ia) 

W 


r- 


Translated and Edited from StahVs ^'Nouveau Robinson Snissel' 

/' 


BY 

JOHN LOVELL. 


FOURTH EDITION. 



WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATioNS. 


W. J. HOLLAND AND CO., 

0 

PUBLISHERS, 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS., and CHICAGO, ILL. 

..j 

> 


• . 



I 


I 


\ 



f 



I 






I 

> 



• t 


> 




/ 


r 


I 


t 


t. 


. t 

I 


/ » 




[ J ' 


M 9 



I 


4 


I 


9 




I 


4 




t 


« 


s 




t 


i 


I 


»• 


» 


( 



1 

f 

i v.>' , 

i 


t 


( 


* 





I 


\ 


I 


« 


f 


4 


i 


J 


% 



r 


» » 
i. ' • 


4 


: 


\ 



% 



# 


I 




♦ 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTEE I. 

•Shipwreck, and Preparations for Deliverance . 

CHAPTER II. 

Landing, and the First Day on Shore . 

CHAPTER III. 

An Exploring Expedition 

CHAPTER lY. 

The Return Journey. — A Night Adventure 

CHAPTER y. 


A Voyage to the Wreck 

CHAPTER YI. 

What Passed on Land during our Absence 


CHAPTER YII. 

Projects for Migration. — The Dead Shark. — The Bridge 

CHAPTER YIII. 

Removing. — The Porcupine. — The Promised Land 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Tiger-Cat. — The Wounded Flamingo 

CHAPTER X. 

The Building in the Tree .... 


CHAPTER XI. 


IV 


Contents. 


CHAPTER XII. 

The Sledge.— The Salmon. — The Kangaroo ..... 

PAaK 

. 98 

CHAPTER XIII. 

A Second Yoyage to the Yessel. — The Turtle.— Tapioca 

. 107 

CHAPTER XIY. 

Third Yoyage to the Yessel. — A Discovery. — The Penguins . 

, 115 

CHAPTER XY. 

Baking .......... 

. 119 

CHAPTER XYI. 

The Pinnace ......... 

. 123 

CHAPTER XYII. 

A Walk. — The Bustard.— The Tree Wizard.— The Wild Pig.— The Crocodile 

. 128 

CHAPTER XYin. 

The Woodcock. — The Wax. — The Parrots’ Nest. — The India-Rubber Tree . 

. 139 


CHAPTER XIX. 

Candle-Making. — Butter-Making. — Gardening. — The Last Yoyage to the Wreck. — 

An Excursion. — Palm Wine. — The Buffalo. — The Young Jackal . . 144 

CHAPTER XX. 

The Sago. — The Bees. — The Stairs. — Training the Animals .... 154 

CHAPTER XXI. 

The Onager. — Flax. — The Rainy Season ...... 164 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Return of the Fine Season. — The Salt Cavern. — A Shoal of Herrrings. — The Dog- 

Fish. — Plastering Operations. — Salmon. — Sturgeon. — The Maize-Field . 173 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Cotton-Plant. — Forest Grange. — The Duck-Bill. — The Pirogue. — Francis’ 

Charge . . . . . ... . . 'j 186 

CHAPTER XXIY. 

The Anniversary of our Deliverance ....... 195 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Birdlime. — An Adventure of James’s. — Preparations for the Winter. — An Expe- 
dition against the Monkeys.— Divers Labours. — The Rains again . . 203 


Contents. 


V 


CHAPTER XXVI 

New Treasures. — The Dead Whale. — Rowing Machinery. — A Visit to the Colony. — 
The Giant Turtle ......... 

CHAPTER XXVn. 

The Loom Finished. — The Palanquin. — The Boa . . . . , 

CHAPTER XXVIIL 

Epitaph on the Ass. — Stuffing the Boa ....... 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

An Excursion. — Another Grotto. — Fuller’s Earth. — Rock Crystal 

CHAPTER XXX. 

Excursion to the Farmery. — The Cabiai. — The Ondatra.— The Cinnamon- Apple 

CHAPTER XXXL 

Halt at Sugar-Cane Grove. — The Peccaries. — An Otahitian Roast. — The Giant 
Bamboos. — Continuation of our Journey ..... 

CHAPTER XXXn. 

Excursion in the Savannah. — The Herd of Ostriches, and their Eggs. — The Green 
Valley. — Fright of Ernest. — The Bears ..... 

CHAPTER XXXIIL 

Occupations of my Wife during our Absence. — The Condor.— Skinning and 
Curing the Bears. — An Expedition by the Four Boys. — The Angora Rabbits. 
— The Antelopes. — Fritz’s Narrative. — The Cuckoo. — James and the Bees . 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Spurge Oil. — ^Arab Hill. — Capture of an Ostrich. — The Return to Rock-House. — 
Another Larg e Eel. — Training the Ostrich. — Hydromel. — Hat-Making 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Return of the Rainy Season. — Manufacture of Pottery. — Building a Cajack. — 
Voyage to Shark Island ........ 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

A Rat-Hunting Expedition. — Ravages by Pigs. — Return to the Hunters. — Skinning 
the Animals. — The Harvest. — The Herring-Shoals and Dog-Fish again 

CHAPTER XXXVn. 

Trial of the Cajack. — Disappearance of Fritz. — The Walrus. — A Storm. — Anxieties 
Concerning Fritz. — Saved ! — The Drawbridge. — The Salt Lick. — A Longer 
Expedition . . . 


PAGE 

211 

220 

231 

235 

238 

244 

247 

255 

260 

269 

274 

282 


VI 


Contents. 


CHAPTER xxxvni. 

Expedition to Forest Grange. — The Hyena. — The Carrier-Pigeon. — Fritz’s Letter. 
— The Black Swan.— The Royal Heron. — The Tapir. — The Cranes. — The Bird 
of Paradise.— More Ravages by Monkeys.— How they were Punished. — 
Serious Devastations by Huge Beasts ...... 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Construction of a Summer Residence. — The Fruits of the Cacao and Banana 
Trees.— The Mysterious Sack.— The Sultan Fowl. — The Elephants. — The 
Panthers. — The Amphibious Monster. — The Biter Bit. — Restoration of 
Falcon-Nest. — Fortification of Shark Island ..... 

CHAPTER XL. 

Condition of the Colony at the End of Ten Years. — Excursion by Fritz in the 
Cajack. — The Sea-Birds’ Nests. — Pearl Bay. — The Dog-Fish. — The Albatross 

CHAPTER XLI. 

A Confidential Conversation with Fritz. — The English Girl on the Burning Rock. — 
A Pearl-Fishing Expedition.— Cape Flat-Nose. — Pearl-Fishing. — The Return 

CHAPTER XLII. 

James’s Fright. — The Wild Boar. — Truffles. —Nankin Cotton. — The Lions. — Death 
of Fan. — Fritz’s Expedition. — The Spermaceti Whale 

CHAPTER XLIII. 

Return of Fritz.— Miss Jenny . . . . . . , 

CHAPTER XLIY. 

History of Miss Jenny. — ^A Family Feast. — Musical Recreations 

CHAPTER XLV. 

A Grave Incident. — On the Look-out.— Visitors.— New Friends.— Conclusion 


PAGE 

290 

299 

307 

314 

319 

328 

340 


. 346 


LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS 


♦ 



Flamingo Lake 


PAGE 

Frontispiece 

Ernest’s Practice . 


. 

PAGE 

88 

Friends in Need . 


To face page 1 

Divine Service 


• 

89 

Shipwreck 



• 

1 

The Karata . . . o 



92 

The Terrible Eaters . 




5 

Duck-Catching 



97 

Our Advance Guard 




8 

Engine for Haulage . 



100 

Building the Tub-Boat 



• 

9 

Ernest’s Method of Feeding Cattle 

, 

101 

Caught by a Lobster . 



. 

12 

The Fisherman Caught 


• 

104 

Eowing Ashore 



. 

13 

The Masquerade . 


• 

105 

The Agouti . 



* 

16 

A Useful Turtle . 


. 

109 

The Eepast . 




17 

The Sow’s Feast’ . 


• 

112 

The Shore of the Bay 



• 

21 

The Attack on the Penguins 


• 

113 

The Halting-Place in the 

Wood 

• 

24 

The Tapioca .... 



114 

Fritz’s Temper 



• 

25 

The Turtle .... 


• 

116 

Turk among the Monkeys 




29 

James and his Barrow 


. 

116 

Fritz and his Protege. 




33 

Making Flour . . , 



120 

The “ Stupid Penguin ” 



• 

37 

The Pinnace .... 


, 

121 

The Jackal . 



o 

40 

A Kitchen Garden 


• 

125 

Fight between Dogs and Jackals 

« 

41 

Bringing Down the Bustard 



129 

Shooting the Shark 



• 

45 

The Tree Wizard. 


. 

132 

James and the Donkey 



• 

49 

Calabash Wood 



133 

Crossing the Stream . 



• 

52 

Catching the Ignana . 



136 

The Great Bustard 



. 

53 

The Woodcock and his Wives 



137 

The Forest Dwelling-Place 


• 

56 

The Parrots’ Nests 



140 

Building the Bridge . 



* 

57 

Butter-Making 


. 

141 

The Dead Shark . 




61 

Our Two- Wheeled Car 


. 

145 

The Dogs and the Porcupine 



65 

The Last of the Wreck 



148 

The Porcupine 



. 

68 

Ernest Climbs the Palm-Tree 

• V 


149 

The Eestive Donkey . 




68 

Abandoned to the Vultures 


, 

153 

The Margay . 



• 

69 

The Malabar Eagle 



156 

The Flamingoes . 



• 

72 

A Litter of Pigs . 


• 

157 

The Eemoval 



• 

73 

The Eagle Abroad 



160 

Francis’s Experiment . 



• 

77 

Our First Hive . 


• 

161 

The House in the Tree 



. 

81 

Nip in Training . 


« 

164 

Bringing up the Timber 



. 

84 

The Jackal in Training 



165 

Practising with the Bow 



• 

85 

Fritz and James on their Chargers 


168 

The Ortolan. 



• 

88 

The Capture of the Onager 



169 


Till 


List of Illustrations, 


The Flax-Plant 

, Canadian Heath-Fowl. 

Beating the Flax . . . . 

The Eock-Salt Geotto 
Lights and Shadows in the Geotto . 
“ TeTHEEING ” THE TuETLES . 

Salmon-Shooting ...... 

Alaem in the Maize-Field . 

Feuits in Undeetent Gaeden 

The Cotton-Plant . . . . 

Black Swan Lake. 

Making the Pieogue . . . . 

Feancis’s Pupil, Geumblee ” 

Cue Kangaeoo Taeget. 

The Famous Bull-Tamee 

Feitz’s Eagle Killing the Ceane 

James in Tow of the Jackal 

The Savouey Anana . . . . 

Bamboo Balcony 

The Steanded Whale . . . . 

Feitz in Tow of the Tuetle 
Yoyage in the Pieogue 
Stoem and Geumblee at Full Gallop 
The Boa’s Last Meal . . . . 

The Boa at the Stake 

Fascinated 

Anothee Geotto 

Ceossing Goose Maesh. 

Eenest in the Eeed-Bed 
Excuesion to the Faemeey. 

The Cabiai 

Eenest Attacked by Musk-Eats . 

Peccaeies 

The Osteich 

The Halt at the Hill-Foot 
The Fight with the Beaes. 

The Condoe . . . . 

The Dwaef Antelope . . . . 




PAGE 

Captuee of the Eabbits 


. 257 

The Eagle and Osteich 


. 261 

Field-Woek .... 


. 264 

Toenado as a Saddle-Hoese 


. 265 

Feancis in his Swiss Bieelta 


. 268 

The Cajack and Pieogue at Sea 

. 272 

Teying a New Teade . 


. 273 

Teeading out the Coen 


. 277 

Out in the Stoem 


. 281 

The Waleus .... 


. 284 

The Hyena and his Victim . 


. 288 

Undee the Yeeandah . 


. 289 

Bieds of Paeadise 


. 293 

The Demoiselle Ceane 


. 296 

The Tapie oe Ant-Eatee . 


. 297 

Setting Out at a Gallop . 


. 300 

On the Watch 


. 301 

The Cougae .... 


. 304 

The Huge Ehinoceeos . 


. 305 

Coasting in the Cajack 


. 309 

The Feigate Bied 


. 312 

Teiumphal Aech of Eocks . 


. 313 

Skeletons of Maeine Monstees 


. 317 

James’s Antagonist 


. 321 

Encountee with the Lioness 


. 324 

Fight with Lions . To face page S 25 

The Lion at a Dead Stand. 


. 329 

Hippopotami at Home . 


. 333 

Volcano Isle. 


. 336 

Feitz Finding Miss Jenny . 


. 337 

A Family Feast . 


. 341 

Miss Jenny on James’s Buffalo 


, 345 

Our Signal Station 


. 348 

The English Feigate . 


. 349 

Foegiveness . 


. 352 

En Eoute ... * 


. 353 

Au Eevoie . , , • 


. 357 


PAGE 

172 

173 

176 

177 

180 

181 

184 

185 

188 

189 

192 

193 

196 

200 

201 

204 

205 

208 

209 

213 

216 

217 

221 

224 

225 

229 

232 

233 

236 

237 

240 

241 

245 

248 

249 

252 

253 

256 


PREFACE 


The “ Swiss Family Robinson” is one of the few books, written in the first instance 
for children, which enjoy a lasting popularity among all classes of readers. There is 
hardly a child who has not read it, or who, at least, is not destined to read it ; there 
'is hardly a man, in consequence, who has not its main incidents fresh in his memory 
as if they were the events of his own life. It is not so distinguished, as a literary pro- 
duction, as the great work which has suggested its title and its leading idea. It does 
mot share in an equal degree with Defoe's great work the merit either of simplicity of 
treatment or simplicity of design. Its scope is larger and more ambitious ; and when 
it sometimes for a moment fails to amuse and interest us — though it never fails to 
instruct — we must take into account the extent of its aims. It is designed to be 
mothing less ’than a system of morals and of natural science suited to the capacities 
and wants of the young, and thrown into the most attractive of all forms, that of 
narrative — a kind of epic of instructive fiction, in which the passions, the feelings, 
the intellect, and the heart of a child are all touched in turn, to the one great end of 
the elevation of its nature.- The hold it has gained upon the popular fancy may fairly 
be taken as the measure of its merit. If in the main it had not pleased, it would 
never have instructed, since pleasure was its sole means, as it was in some sort its 
secondary end. 

It is singular, however, that an author whose work has its place in every family 
has been to most people unknown even by name. The best dictionaries of biography 
are dumb concerning him. It may interest many readers to learn that his name was 
Jean Rudolph Wyss, and that he was born at Berne on the 13th of March, 1781. 
He commenced his studies at the high school of his native city, and finished them at 
the universities of Germany. At twenty-five years of age he became professor of philo- 
sophy at the Academy of Berne, and he occupied that chair to the end of his life, 
together with the post of librarian-in-chief. He has left two volumes of philosophy 
and of morals under the title “Du Souverain Bien” (Tubingen, 1811); three 
volumes of legends forming the popular tales of his native country ; some idylls 
{Berne, 1815-1822); and lastly, the “ Swiss Family Robinson,” the first plan of 
which was a conception of his father’s. He died at Berne on the 31st of March, 
1830. 


X 


Preface. 


It is at first somewhat difficult to understand how a work which has become so 
deservedly popular could have brought so little reputation to its author, and it is 
perhaps only possible to account for this anomaly after a careful re-perusal of the 
book at an age when the taste and the judgment have received some cultivation, 
and when a knowledge of literary history has furnished the key to many literary 
problems. 

The plan of the “ Swiss Eobinson ” is in itself an excellent one. To take up 
for the benefit of youth the main idea of “ Eobinson Crusoe,” to put in place of 
the solitary man, forced into an almost unnatural self-reliance, a whole family — a 
father, a mother, and four cliildren — and to make that family live amid nearly all 
the surroundings of the hero of Defoe, was nothing less than to confiscate an idea of 
genius — to attempt an enduring though, by its very nature, not an original work. 

The author of the “ Swiss Family Eobinson ” has no higher pretension than 
that of having taken a good thought at second-hand from the storehouse of another’s 
mind; but that thought was naturally of so fruitful a nature, that he is in great part 
indebted to the happiness of his subject for a success which a book less fortunately 
conceived could never have attained, no matter what the merit of its execution. 

We must look, undoubtedly, to the literary inferiority of the execution of the 
“ Swiss Family Eobinson ” for an explanation of this double and seemingly contra- 
dictory fact — “ a celebrated book : an unknown author.” 

The public judgment, which has unhesitatingly assigned these positions respec- 
tively to the author and to the work, has dealt justly with the one and with the other. 

The book deserved to live, and it has lived. It will remain one of the classics 
of recreation in its own proper sphere. The author deserved to live only in the 
shadow of his book, and his work has altogether obscured him. Eudolph Wyss 
has no place in literature beside Daniel Defoe, and yet the “Swiss Family 
Eobinson” is undoubtedly by right of merit the happy rival (in the eyes of ita 
own little public) of “ Eobinson Crusoe.” 

Another circumstance deserves consideration side by side with that of the 
almost unique position assigned by the public judgment to the author of this work. 
In France the book has had, ever since its appearance, a constant and an increasing 
success. Twenty different editions of it have competed- almost simultaneously for 
popular favour, and not one of them is known to have caused its author a loss. But 
in Germany the work has met with anything but the same good fortune. And yet 
it is essentially a German book, and the Germans are the last nation in the world to 
consent to the diminution of their literary glories. If the fault were not, indeed, of 
too amiable a nature to be made the subject of formal condemnation, they might 
be charged with an undue desire to elevate the reputations of those who write in 
their tongue. But the question still remains, why has this famous child’s story 
been mainly indebted to foreigners for its fame ? 

It was difficult to find an answer until that answer was, as it were, directly 
suggested by the labours of a learned German, Herr Eugene MUller. Herr Muller 
was induced to undertake a translation of the work from the original German into 
French ; and, whether from motives of patriotism or from a defect of literary taste, 
he gave it precisely as he found it — incident for incident, digression for digression, 


Preface. 


Xi 


almost word for word. He could not, or he would not, find it in his heart to cut 
out a single fault, lest in the process he should remove a single beauty. And 
candour compels us to acknowledge that, as Wyss left it, the work was in places 
feeble, heavy, unprofitably discursive, and, in consequence, intolerably dull. A 
comparison of this translation with all the others that had appeared, and especially 
with those with which the French public were familiar, at once afibrded the 
required explanation. The foreign translators had been influenced by no other 
desire than to make their book attractive, and, with this aim clearly before them, 
they had mercilessly excised everything that tended to destroy the unity and the 
simplicity of its plan. The translation of Madame de Montoliefi, in particular, 
may be cited as a specially happy result of this vigorous and logical treatment. It 
never flags in interest for a single moment, because the translator has never 
for a moment forgotten that, whatever her end, narrative is in this case her 
readiest and, indeed, her only means. She has adopted the only rule that can be 
applied, at least to this order of literary products — namely, that chefs-d'oeuvre are 
not to be repeated in their imperfections. She has wisely ignored the author, and 
looked only to those whom he aspired to teach and to amuse. The English 
editor had no choice but to follow her example, for, as he designed the book to be 
read by youth, he could not forget that youth recognises no rule or law in its 
judgment on works of art but that of the impression of the moment. It will 
never consent to be pleased as a matter of duty, or with a view to any remote 
intellectual advantage. Its approval must be fairly won, it can never be extorted ; 
and to win it in a work of this kind, the stream of narrative must be suffered to 
flow swiftly and smoothly along, whatever the weight and the value of the freight it 
is to bear upon its bosom. The editor accordingly had every encouragement tO' 
submit the original book to that same process of excision by which it has always 
gained in interest and in popularity. 

In fact, with all the omissions of the French translator before him, the editor 
felt that the work as it stands in the original would fairly bear more, and instead 
of praising the boldness of his predecessors, he has had more than once to deplore 
their timidity. 

Many heads of families, who very properly give themselves the trouble of 
glancing through a book before they place it in their children’s hands, have con- 
fessed that as this work stands in the translation of Muller, they find it difficult to 
account for the intense interest with which it is said to inspire the young. 

Its long dialogues travelling too often in the circle of one commonplace 
thought; its moral incessantly repeated, and never sufiered to run the risk of 
attempting to take care of itself ; its needless, not to say wearisome, refinements of 
reasoning ; its chapters of natural history, and of that misleading natural history 
which is out of date, — if they pleased the strangely constituted children of the 
author’s own creation, most certainly, it would seem, fail to yield a single hour’s- 
entertainment to the little boys and girls of the present day. 

But the fact that Muller’s full translation still finds favour among a minority 
of juvenile readers will be found to admit of a perfectly easy explanation. Young: 
people have never failed to discover, by a sort of happy instinct, a sovereign remedy 


Xll 


Preface. 


for dullness in books. They “ skip ” whatever fails to interest them. If the book, 
as a whole, holds out no promise of entertainment, they skip it all by the summary 
process of throwing it aside ; if its narrative and its main incidents are worth 
the reading, they devour these wherever they find them, and skip only those 
reflections and observations which, being of undue length, they feel competent to 
make in a shorter compass for themselves. For the most pj(rt, however, they will 
not take the trouble to discriminate. A book which is dull in parts is for them dull 
everywhere ; and the highest testimony to the merit of the work now under con- 
sideration is that, with all its faults in the original, there is probably no child who 
would not be content to give it a patient examination for the sake of its manifold 
beauties. We must seek the sources of the interest which a child finds in the 
Swiss Family Eobinson” in the many and varied incidents, the journeys by sea 
^ind by land, on foot, on the backs of donkeys and the backs of ostriches ; in the 
•discoveries always so opportune, in the exciting hunts and the delightful fishing 
-excursions, and in the meals, as varied as they are welcome to those who discuss 
them with appetites that have found their edge in the open air. 

There remains but one more defect in the original work to signalise, and that 
is to be found in the delineation of the various members of the family, and above 
all of the children. The latter sometimes seem too much like men, and at others 
their intelligence appears below that of their age, while their vivacity is not always 
so spontaneous or so natural as seems desirable. The editor could not, however, 
trust himself to pronounce a verdict in the matter. It was not for him (quoting 
only, so to speak, from the memory of his youthful emotions) to dogmatise as to the 
mind and heart of a child ; and he thought it better, in so grave and weighty a 
matter, to have the opinion of arbiters more fitted by their age to decide — namely, 
two or three of the most enthusiastic amongst the youthful readers of the book. 
He accordingly submitted his doubts to this dread tribunal with all the hesitation 
which became his own consciousness of his inability to solve them, and he ventured 
to put his case thus : — In the book which you all love so much — setting aside the 
long passages which you manage to avoid so easily — is there anything which has struck 
you as being wearisome and strange ? Are you quite pleased with all you have not 
skipped ? Do you heartily approve of everything the father and mother and the 
children say % Do you think the parents are perfect ? and do the four boys seem 
good boys — such, for example, as you would like to have for brothers of your own ? ” 

My little critics began by scratching their ears, and even by gently pulling 
them, after the fashion of the oracles of old, and for a time they made no other 
attempt at a reply ; but their embarrassment soon ceased. 

“ It would not be right to say anything about the parents,” said the boldest of 
them, with all a child’s diplomacy ; “ the papa and mamma think of nothing but 
their children, and that is very kind of them ; but the little boys are not very nice. 
They don’t always seem to love one another as brothers should; they are sometimes 
jealous, and they even mock one another, and that is very wrong. How can they 
love one another if they do that ? One could often feel angry with them ; and 
then — and then ” 

And as the orator seemed to be confusing himself, another came to his aid. 


Preface. 


Xlll 


“ And then they don’t seem always to love their papa enough, or even their 
mamma.” 

“ And then,” chimed in a third, “ I think they are sometimes rather cruel 
without meaning to be so. They are too fond of killing things. It’s proper to 
kill things for your dinner and your supj^er ; but when these little boys have quite 
enough to eat they go out and massacre animals for sport. If a cruel boy were to> 
read of such doings I don’t think it would make him any the kinder. I have been 
angry with them two or three times, and even with their papa, for letting them do- 
it without giving them a scolding and telling them how very wicked they were. 
There’s something they do to the poor monkeys that’s worst of all.” 

“ Oh, yes ; that’s horrible ! ” they all cried in chorus. 

Each one then pointed out to me the passages to which his observations 
referred, and I was pleased to see that my own ideas, as previously jotted down in 
the margin of my copy, were nearly always in accord with theirs. 

Thus it would appear that in the father of the story my little critics objected 
to a certain shallowness and carelessness of reasoning on moral subjects, which did 
not pay sufficient respect to the questionings of a youthful mind ; while in the 
children they blamed the cruelty to animals, the want of tenderness for parents, 
and especially for the mother, who was incessantly occupied with thoughts of her 
sons, and the coldness of brotherly affection. Such were, in fact, the black spots 
which to them disfigured the sun of their favourite book. 

The great question that remained was, whether it was possible for the editor to- 
remove those spots as he had already contemplated doing. Would it be a sacrilege, 
like the defacement of a work of genius ? I did not think so ; I do not think so 
now ; and if others are not of the same opinion, it is perhaps because they have not 
the same lively sense as myself of the great influence for good or for evil which 
every book must necessarily exercise on a youthful mind — those books which are 
favourites, above all. Children are so confiding and so credulous, they so willingly 
take appearances for realities — so readily, for the most part, give up the precious 
material of their mind and soul to be moulded by any and every influence within 
reach, that one cannot be too watchful of everything that approaches them — too 
careful, in a word, that no false note in morals shall be suffered to vitiate their 
delicate ears. 

With these views I have entered on the present undertaking — no very grateful 
task, on the one hand, since the book is not a literary production; though, on the 
other hand, I shall not regret to have brought my labours to a termination if some 
watchful mother, comparing this edition of the “ Swiss Eobinson ” with those which 
have preceded it, shall deign to express herself grateful to a father for the minute 
care which he has taken to render it more worthy of her children and of his own. 

I have little more to add. The dwelling-place of the “ Swiss Family Eobinson” 
is, and will always remain, a fortunate or Utopian island where, the labour of all 
happily tending to one common object, everything necessary to the well-being of the 
colonists, and to the enjoyment of "the little readers of the book, is supplied as if by 
miracle ; but there occur from time to time, in the original, certain passages which 
show that island to be an impossible place, and which amount, in fact, to nothing 


XIV 


Preface. 


less than errors in matters of science, to say nothing of errors in matters of 
morality and errors in matters of taste. It has been my aim to remove these in the 
edition now presented to the reader. 

The “ Swiss Robinson ” is a book that forms part of the public domain of 
literature, and those who feel a curiosity about the original text can always obtain 
access to it. 

It only remains to add that a special feature of the present work is the care 
with which the numerous references to natural history scattered throughout the 
earlier edition have been revised. The “ Swiss Family Robinson ” derived much of 
its value, and indeed no little of its interest, from them ; but natural science is in 
such a transitional and progressive state, that to be out of date with any fact relating 
to it is a fault which ought not to be permitted in any book designed for the educa- 
tion of the young. M. J ean Mace, whom all who know him will recognise as a man 
eminently qualified for the task, has given a later French edition the benefit of his 
emendations in the portion relating to natural history, and they have for the most 
part been included in the present translation, though the edition has repeatedly drawn 
from those fresh sources of information which modern industry is daily placing 
within our reach. 

The work has, in short, been entirely remodelled, and it is hoped that it now 
appears in a form in which, from the first page to the last, it will be both profitable 
and pleasurable to every youthful reader. The splendid materials which the 
industry (the editor had almost said the genius) of "VVyss had heaped together for 
the construction of a great and enduring work of youthful entertainment have been 
freely dealt with, to produce a book more in harmony with the progress, and more 
subservient to the needs, of the time. In short, the same right of adaptation which 
Wyss assumed in regard to the original idea of Defoe has been exercised on his own 
valuable compilation. 



INTRODUCTION. 


BY THE EDITOE. 


The effects of the French Revolution were, as it is well known, felt far beyond the 
boundaries of the country in which it had birth. They extended especially to 
Switzerland, whose destinies have in all times been influenced both for good and 
for evil by her powerful neighbour. It is with one of the minor results of that 
revolution, affecting not the state but a private family, that this history deals. 
Among those who suffered by the course of events in France was a pastor living in 
the west of Switzerland, who saw himself reduced to the very verge of ruin by the 
changes effected by the popular will. He was severely affected by the change, both 
in health and spirits; for, although he was comparatively indifferent to his own 
welfare, he could not but feel the most intense anxiety on account of his family. He 
had a wife, and four sons, whose ages ranged from five to twelve. It was useless 
for him to attempt to remain in Switzerland, for he had lost not only the means 
of present support there, but the prospect of a maintenance in the future. He 
naturally, therefore, turned his eyes to England, our country being at that time, as it 
has since remained, the refuge of the distressed from all quarters of the civilised 
world. 

He was kindly received here, for in his office and in his unmerited mis- 
fortunes he had a double title to the sympathy of many of the most influential 
persons ; and it was not long before numerous plans for his welfare were submitted 
for his consideration and approval. But none seemed to find so much favour in his 
eyes as one which he had partly originated himself — namely, that of emigrating 
with his family to the colony of Port Jackson. To go to Port Jackson direct, 
however, was no easy matter, for the pastor’s means were limited, and he was too 
spirited to avail himself of the pecuniary offers of his friends ; and, besides, he felt a 
natural reluctance to enter upon so important an undertaking without securing more 
time than was immediately at his disposal for the maturing of his scheme. A 
plan, however, was proposed, which promised to remove all these difficulties. The 
country was even at that time earnest in the pursuit of missionary enterprise. 
The light of the Gospel was being carried into distant lands by a few devoted men, 


XVI 


Introduction. 


whose courage might have put to shame that of the fiercest of the innumerable' 
warriors whose swords were then drenching Europe with blood. The pastor was^ 
invited to accept a post in the mission to Ofcaheite, and as this place was so near 
Port Jackson he readily embraced the ofier, resolving to pass to his final destination 
as soon as he should have spent some time in the island. He was anxious to 
become a free settler at Port Jackson, and many circumstances seemed to favour tliis 
design. He had some knowledge of agriculture both in its theory and practice, for 
he had largely contributed to the support of his family by his labours on a little farm 
in the neighbourhood of his church ; and he might in a very few years expect 
valuable assistance from his sons, as he was sure to meet at once with the 
heartiest co-operation from his amiable wife. These considerations mainly deter- 
mined him to accept the ofier, and he lost no time in making preparations for 
his departure. His main care was to provide himself with such tools, seeds, and 
stock as were indispensable to the execution of his plan ; and to do this he had to 
surmount the greatest obstacles, for he had no other resources than the poor 
remnants of a fortune which had never been considerable. He could not hope 
to be able to purchase anything he required at Port Jackson, for the colony was not 
sufficiently advanced in prosperity to have become a trading dep6t ; and he was 
obliged, therefore, to incur the heavy cost of buying not only farm implements, but 
cattle, in this country, and transporting them to the scene of his future labours. 
But he persevered in spite of every difficulty, and in due time he had the satisfaction 
of seeing his family with their modest stock of goods on board a ship bound for 
the island of Otaheite. 

They set sail with a favourable wind, and for a time all went so well that the 
most desponding passenger could not have failed to draw the most favourable 
auguries for their safety and success. But, alas ! the winds and the waves are 
proverbially treacherous ; and the voyage, commenced under such happy auspices, 
was doomed to end in disaster. When off the coast of New Guinea, the devoted 
ship was assailed by a tempest of almost unexampled severity even in those lati- 
tudes, and the pastor saw himself, and the family for whose welfare he had risked so 
much, threatened with a sudden and awful death. It is at this trying conjuncture 
in his affairs that the journal of which the following is a translation commences. 




























*w:> 

mm 

It* 

IF _ 

--- c 



RIEND3 IN NEED.— p. 4 

















7Z3f^^. 


THE 


SWISS FAMILY ROBIHSON 



HE tempest had lasted six days, and far 
from abating, now redoubled in fury. 
Driven out of our course to the south- 
west, it was impossible to tell in what 
parts we were. Our vessel had lost her 

1 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


2 

masts, and leaked from end to end. Every one, commending his soul to God, 
implored of his loving-kindness a means of escaping death. 

“ Children,” I said to my four boys, who clung weeping to their mother, 
“ God can still save if it be his will ; if he has decreed otherwise we must 
submit. At the worst, we shall only quit this world to be united in the better one.” 

My wife dried her tears, and, following my example, assumed an enforced 
calmness, to inspire the children with courage and resignation. 

We fell upon our knees and prayed fervently. 

All at once, through the roar of the winds and waters, I heard with rapture 
the salvation-cry of the shipwrecked — “ Land ! land ! ” But, at the same moment, 
we became sensible of a heavy concussion, succeeded by a frightful cracking noise. 
Thereupon, from the sudden cessation of motion in the ship, and the dull plash 
with which the waves broke around her, I concluded that we were stranded ujoon 
sunken rocks, and that the vessel was pierced through below. 

“We are lost! Lower the boats!” cried a voice, which I recognised as 
that of the captain. 

. “Lost !” repeated the children, casting upon me a look full of anguish! 

“ Courage, my little ones ! ” I said, “ despair not yet ; God gives help to the 
brave. I will go and see what means can be taken for our safety.” 

I quitted the cabin, and went upon deck. Buffeted by the win^s, half- 
blinded by the spray, flung down once or twice by the great seas that broke over 
the ship, I was unable for some moments to distinguish anything. When at length 
I reached the side, I saw the boats rocking among the waves, overcrowded with 
people, and obliged, for their safety, to stand out to sea. 

A sailor was just cutting the last mooring rope. 

We had been forgotten ! 

I shouted frantically, imploring them to return and save us ; but my voice 
was lost in the roar of the storm, and I realised with horror that we were 
abandoned upon the wrecked vessel. 

In my terrible extremity, however, I observed, with a feeling akin to 
consolation, that the ship had so grounded as to leave the poop, where our cabin 
was, thrust high up out of reach of the waves. And at the same time, even 
through the thick, misty rain which was falling, I could perceive, at some distance 
to the south, a coast-line that, in spite of its barren and desolate appearance, 
became thenceforward the object of my highest hopes. 

I returned to my family, and, affecting a tranquillity which I was far from feeling : 

“Take courage,” said I, “all hope is not lost yet. One part of the ship 

so great is the mercy of heaven — is firmly fixed above the water. To-morrow 
the wind and waves will subside, and we shall be able to get to land.” 

The children, in all the trustfulness of youth, accepted as a certainty this 
* bold supposition. 


Shipwreck. 


3 


From the manner in which my wife received my announcement, I saw clearly 
that she had penetrated the truth ; but I also saw that her faith in God had not 
diminished. 

“We are about to pass a most distressing night,” she said; “let us take some 
food. Nourishment for the body fortifies the soul.” 

Night fell. The tempest, in all its violence, continued to beat upon the vessel 
furiously. I feared every moment that she would break up. 

My wife having hurriedly prepared a simple repast, the children partook of it 
with a 'good appetite. Then they retired to rest and slept soundly — all excepting 
* Fritz, the eldest, who, comprehending the nature of our situation better than his 
brothers, chose to sit up with us. 

“ Father,” he said, after a long interval of silence, “ I have been trying to think 
of some means of reaching land. If we had either cork or bladders, to make 
swimming floats for mother and the other children, there would be no difficulty. 
You and I could swim ashore without help.” 

“ A capital idea ! ” exclaimed I ; “ and that we may at all events be prepared, 
if the worst should come to the worst, let us try to put it in execution as soon as 
possible.” 

Having hunted up a number of empty kegs, and several of the tin cans in 
which persons at sea carry their daily allowance of fresh water, Fritz and I tied 
them in couples with our handkerchiefs, and fastened two under the armpits 
of my brave wife and each of the sleeping children. W e also placed in their 
pockets and our own, knives, string, tinder-boxes, and other articles which we knew 
would be of prime necessity if the vessel should break up, and we be fortunate 
enough to reach the shore. 

These precautions taken, Fritz, reassured and very much fatigued, went to bed 
as his brothers had done, and speedily fell asleep. 

My wife and I continued our vigil. 

It was a fearful night, and we passed it in prayer. Towards the morning I 
fancied that the storm was less furious, and with the first glimmerings of daylight 
I went upon deck. The wind was fast falling, the sea growing calm, and a lovely 
sunrise flashed its rose-tinted rays athwart a clear sky. 

Keanimated by the fair vision spread out before me, I called to my wife and 
my boys, who at once hastened upon deck. 

The younger children were deeply concerned to see that we were alone on 
board. 

“ Where are the sailors ? ” they cried. “ Why have they gone away without 
us ? Oh, what is to become of us ? ” 

“ My children,” said I, “our travelling companions were bewildered by fright. 
They leapt into the boats without thinking of us ; and it is not unlikely that ere 
this they may have perished — victims of their own precipitation. If they still live I 


4 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


doubt not that they have more to complain of than we. See 1 the heavens are clear — 
land is not far off; our seeming misfortune, perhaps, is a blessing in disguise. Let 
us trust in God, who certainly has not abandoned us yet, and see what ought to be 
done to provide for our common deliverance.’* 

Fritz, enterprising and adventurous, persisted in his idea that it would be best 
to throw ourselves into the sea and swim to land. 

Ernest — my second son, aged about twelve — an intelligent, but withal a timid 
and unadventurous boy, was much alarmed at the idea of crossing the intervening 
waters in this fashion, and proposed that we should construct a raft. 

I pointed out to him that such a contrivance, besides occupying a great deal of 
time in the j)i‘eparing of it for sea, would, when finished and set afloat, be very 
difficult to manage. And seeing the force of these two considerations, he at once 
abandoned his idea. 

“ But,” I said, “ whatever we find ourselves compelled to do in the end, let us 
set about exploring the ship ; so that while thinking upon the best means of reaching 
the land, we may gather upon deck everything that is likely to be of use to us when 
we get there.” 

Each hastened to do my bidding. I myself sought out the place where the 
provisions were stored, to make sure of what we had to depend upon for existence. 
Fritz visited the armoury and magazine, whence he brought guns, pistols, powder, 
balls, and small shot. Ernest ransacked the carpenter’s shop, and returned laden 
with tools and nails. 

Little Francis — my youngest child, aged six — not to be outdone in activity, 
trotted about the vessel till he found a box full of fish-hooks, which he showed us 
with much pride. Fritz and Ernest were inclined to make fun of him, but for my 
part, I saw no reason to despise his discovery; for it might happen that we should 
be driven at last to live upon what fish we could catch, and then the hooks would be 
useful. 

As to James — my third son, a merry youngster of ten years — he re-appeared 
with two huge dogs which he had found shut up in the captain’s cabin, and which, 
rendered docile by hunger, allowed him to lead them each by the ear. 

My wife came to tell me that she had found a cow, an ass, two she-goats, and a 
sow, and had given them food and water just in time to save their lives ; for the 
poor animals had, in the confusion, been kept without nourishment of any kind for 
nearly two days. 

Everybody appeared to me to have made some useful discovery, except 
J ames. 

“ My boy,” I said, “ you have found us a couple of terrible eaters which will 
consume much and provide nothing.” 

«I thought, dear father,” he replied, “that they might be useful for hunting 
when we get to land.” 


Shipwreck. 


5 



THE TERRIBLE EATERS. 


“ You are right,” I said, “ they might, but we have not yet got to land. Have 
you thought of any way of getting there, my pet 1 ” 

“Well,” he replied, “why couldn’t we swim ashore in tubs ? T used to swim 
about the pond in that way when I was staying with my god-father.” 

“ The very thing ! ” I cried. “ Let us see what can be done at once.” 

Followed by the children, I at once descended towards the hold of the vessel — 
now filled with water — ^where several great casks were floating about empty. I 
drew four of them out upon the floor of the lower deck, at this time not much above 
the water-level. They were strong wooden casks, hooped with iron, and appeared to 
me to be well fitted for our purpose. So, aided by Fritz, I set to work to saw them 
in halves. 

When we had thus obtained eight tubs and ranged them along side by side, I 
sought out a pliable plank long enough to lie under the whole of them and turn up 
at each end like a keel. This done, we nailed our tubs firmly to the plank and to 
each other, and then, to finish the matter, we got two other planks, which we nailed 
along the sides of the tubs and brought to a point at each end, like the prow an'd 
stem of a canoe. 

Our work finished, we found ourselves in possession of a contrivance which, in 
a calm sea, I felt sure would enable us to get to land. 


6 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


But we were now met by another difficulty. Our boat was so heavy that not 
with all our strength united could we move, much less launch it. 

“ "We want a screw-jack,” I said. 

Fritz immediately remembered that he had seen one somewhere, and set out to 
find it. 

In the meantime I sawed off some rollers, and when Fritz returned with the 
jack, I hoisted the contrivance up while he put the rollers under; and now we could 
move our tub-raft to any part of the vessel we pleased. 

The children were v/onder-struck to witness the power of the jack, and I 
promised them that the first time we had a few moments’ leisure — if, under God, we 
were j)reserved at all — I would show them all about it and explain its mechanism. 

A few minutes afterwards we had the pleasure of seeing our newly-made boat 
slide safely down the lower deck into the sea — so swiftly, however, that she would 
have been far away from us in an instant if I had not previously taken the pre- 
caution of securing her to one of the beams of the wreck by a cable. 

The children shouted for joy to see the cumbrous machine afloat. I was not so 
well satisfied ; I saw that it leaned too much on one side. But though discouraged ‘ 
for a moment, I soon remembered that we could remedy this inconvenience by the 
use of’ ballast. ThereujDon I laid hold of whatever heavy things first came to hand, 
and throwing them into the tubs, soon had the satisfaction of seeing our vessel 
regain its equilibrium. 

Again the children shouted, and were rushing for ward, to see who should be the 
first to embark, when I stopped them, fearing that if they were too boisterous in 
their movements they might capsize the boat. 

Also we lacked oars. Ernest at once set off and found four under a sail-cloth. 

Bemembering, too, that savages employ a kind of balance-paddle to keej) their 
canoes steady in the water, I determined to make something of the sort myself. 

I found two pieces of a splintered yard which exactly served my purpose. I 
fastened one of them to each end of the boat — screwing them loosely, so that they 
might be turned in any direction. Then to the end of each of the arms that thus 
stretched out over the water I attached an empty keg, which, floating upon 
the waves, would enable the vessel to keep its balance. "We then made some more 
oars, so that we might have at least one each. 

When these various labours were ended it was too late to think of putting to 
sea that day, so we resigned ourselves to the necessity of passing another night 
upon the wreck. 

This determination taken, my wife prepared for jis an excellent repast, which 
comforted and revived us much ; for we had scarcely thought, during the day, 
of taking either a morsel of bread or a drop of wine. ^ 

Though feeling in far less danger than on the previous evening, I took the 
precaution of again fitting the children with their swimming floats before allowing 


The First Day on Shore. 


7 


them to retire to rest ; and I advised my wife to dress herself in male clothino-. 

V O* 

which, as I pointed out, would embarrass her less than her own if the worst should 
happen after all. 

She naturally felt a strong repugnance thus to disguise herself, but at length 
she yielded to my wishes. Leaving me for a few minutes, she soon re-appeared in 
the jaunty uniform of a midshipman, which she had found in one of the sea-chests, 
and which became her admirably. 

Sleep was not long in overtaking us, for the day had been very laborious.. 

The night passed without any untoward incident. 


CHAPTER II. 

LANDING, AND THE FIRST DAY ON SHORE. 

At day-break we were all astir j for hope, like grief, is no friend to sleep. 

As soon as we had offered up our morning prayer together, I said to my 
children, “We are now going, by the help of God, to attempt our deliverance from 
this peril. Give the animals on board provisions for several days ; for if our 
endeavour should succeed, as I devoutly trust it may, we can then return and fetch 
them. After that, gather together everything that may seem likely to be of any use 
to us when we disembark ; and may God speed us in our undertaking.” 

I decided that our cargo should comprise, first of all, a barrel of powder, some 
guns and pistols, and a supply of bullets, together with bullet-moulds and lead 
to renew our stock when these were gone. Each of us was furnished with a game- 
bag, which, for the present, we filled with provisions. . I provided myself with a 
case of portable soup made up into cakes, a can of biscuits, an iron pot, and some 
knives, axes, saws, pincers, nails, gimblets, and fishing-lines. I took also a quantity of 
sail-cloth, with which I proposed to construct a tent to shelter us from the weather. 

I fact, we amassed so many things that I was obliged to leave a large quantity 
of them behind, though I had already exchanged for articles of necessity everything^ 
which I had at first thrown into the tubs as ballast. 

Just as we were about to embark, the cocks, by their persistent and melancholy- 
crowing, seemed to be bidding us a sad farewell ; whereupon my wife suggested that: 
it would be better to take them with us, together with the hens, the ducks, the- 
geese, and the pigeons. I consented. 

Upon that she placed a couple of cocks and a dozen hens into one of the tubs, 
and I covered them over with a rude lattice-work which we made amongst us by 
interlacing some of the more pliable splinters strewn about the deck of the ship. 
As to the geese, the ducks, and the pigeons, I simply set them at liberty, feeling 
confident that instinct alone would take them to land, the former through the water 
and the latter through the air. 


8 


The Swiss Family Bobihson. 


Jl_ 



OUR ADVANCE GUARD. 


The children were already embarked in the order which I had assigned them, 
when my wife returned from the interior of the ship carrying a good-sized, well-filled 
bag, wliich she threw into the tub occupied by little Francis. I paid no attention 
to this bag at the time, thinking that the provident mother had only brought it to 
make a more comfortable seat for her child. 

As soon as we were all safely stowed, I cut the cable by which we were moored 
to the ship, and we began to row for the shore. 

In the first tub was my wife ; in the second, little Francis. Fritz occupied the 
third. The two next contained the powder, the arms, the sail-cloth, the tools, the 
provisions, and the poultry. James was in the sixth, Ernest in the seventh. I had 
taken the last for myself, and there, with a stern-oar in my hands, I steered our 
strange vessel. Each of us had one of our swimming floats strapped round us for 
safety in case of accident. 

The dogs being very large, I judged it prudent not to embark them, and left 
them upon the wreck. When, however, they saw us going away they began to 
whine piteously. Presently they both jumped into the sea, and soon swam up to 
us. Fearing that the distance to be traversed was too great for their strength, I 
showed them how to rest themselves by placing their forepaws upon the barrels that 
we had hung out to balance the boat. The sagacious animals readily comprehended 



•i-.. - 


BUILDING THE TUB-BOAT.-i), 





10 


The Swiss Family Fobinson. 


this manoeuvre, and were thus able to follow us without suffering from too much 
fatigue. 

The sea was calm, its motion being of the gentlest, and its surface flecked here 
and there with light, fleecy foam. The sky was clear, the sun radiant. We all 
rowed together; the rising tide running inland favoured us. Around us floated 
chests, casks, and bales — strays from the wrecked vessel. 

Fritz and I laid hold of as many of these as came in our way with our oars, 
and tying them to our tubs, towed them along with us. My wife, with her hand 
placed upon the head of her youngest child, and her eyes raised to heaven, prayed 
silently. 

Our voyage proceeded prosperously; but the nearer we came to the coast, the 
more wild and desolate it seemed. A line of bare grey rocks was the only sight it 
ofiered to the view. 

Presently, however, Fritz, who had keen powers of vision, declared that he 
could descry trees on shore, and among them the cocoa-tree. 

Ernest, naturally dainty in his tastes, was delighted at the idea of eating fresh - 
gathered cocoa-nuts, which, as he had read, were so much better than those sold in 
, Europe. 

“ What happiness !” cried little Francis. 

This word happiness,” trifling as seemed the occasion on which it was used, 
caused my wife to start and look pained. 

Divining her thought, I gently took her by the hand. “The child is right 
perhaps,” I said, in a low voice ; “ we should never think our sources of happiness 
too small to bring the fulness of joy into our hearts ; all is relative in this life.” 

Meanwhile a lively discussion was going on among the children concerning the 
reality of the trees which Fritz was endeavouring to make them see. While I was 
expressing my regret that I had not thought to bring away the captain’s telescope 
with me, James triumphantly drew from his pocket a smaller one which he had 
found in the cabin of the boatswain’s' mate. 

I was now able to take a survey of the shore. Forgetting the point in dispute, 
all I looked for was a favourable place for landing, and I fixed upon a creek towards 
which the pigeons, now far in advance of us, were directing their course as if they 
were our advance-guard. 

“And the cocoas?” asked little Francis. “ Do you see them, papa ?” 

“ Oh, yes,” I replied, smiling. “ Fritz has sharp eyes ; he was not mistaken. 

I see in the distance trees which certainly look to me as if they were really laden 
with cocoas.” 

“ Oh, I am happy !” cried the little one, clapping his tiny hands together for joy. 

My wife stooped to kiss him, and I think to hide a tear. But when she raised , 
her head again it was only to show us a face with a sweet smile upon it. Little 
Francis’s happiness had communicated itself to his mother. 


The First Day on Shore, 


11 


^ye plied our oars bravely, and at length reached the land at the mouth of a 
stream where there was not more than enough water fco float our raft, and where the 
coast between the rocks was very low. 

The children leapt lightly to land, with the exception of Francis, who was too 
young even to get out of his tub, and had to be helped by his mother. 

The dogs, which had reached land before us, testified their joy by bounding 
round us with loud barkings. The ducks and geese, already installed upon the banks 
of the stream, welcomed us with a chorus of quacking, with which were mingled the 
hoarse cries of some penguins that sat immovable upon the surrounding rocks, and 
several flamingoes which flew away frightened at our approach. 

Little Francis, during all this time, thought of nothing but the cocoa- trees. 

Our first care, upon reaching dry land again, was to fall upon our knees before 
God, thanking him for having so mercifully delivered us in the day of our trouble, 
and imploring a continuance of his Divine protection over us in the new life we were 
about to commence. > 

I clasped my wife and children in my arms in thankful joy. 

The moist eyes of my wife met mine : 

“ God is overflowing in his tender mercies,” she said to me with an angelic 
smile. “ See, love, not only are you and I still left to comfort and help each other, 
but all our pretty ones are around us.” 

It was necessary to proceed at once with the unloading of our boat. Every- 
thing was soon transported to the bank of the river. It was not much, but how 
rich did we consider ourselves in its j)ossession ! 

I selected a suitable spot on which to pitch the tent that was to be our shelter. 
We then took one of the poles which had been used to balance the boat, and drove it 
firmly into the ground. To the top of it, crosswise, we tied the other, which we 
fixed in a fissure of the rock. This formed the framework of our tent. Over it we 
threw our sail-cloth, which we stretched out as far as it would reach on either side, 
and fastened to the earth with stakes. This done, I had the chests of provisions and 
other heavy articles brought in and placed round, the edges to keep out the wind ; 
while Fritz put some hooks along the edge of one side of the sail-cloth in front, 
to enable us to hook the two sides together and so' shut ourselves in, in the 
night-time. 

Then I sent the children out to gather as much moss and dry herbage as they 
could find, wherewith to make our beds. 

While they were thus occupied I got together some stones, and at a little 
distance from the tent built up a sort of hearth, upon which I placed some armfuls 
of dry wood that I picked up along the banks of the stream ; and in this way I soon 
had a great fire lighted and crackling merrily. 

My wife .then put our pot upon my rude grate, and after she had filled it with 
water I threw in five or six cakes of the portable soup. 


12 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“What are you going to stick together, papa ?” asked little Francis, who had 
mistaken the soup-cakes for glue. 

His mother smilingly replied that I was going to make some soup. 

“ Glue-soup 1 he asked, shuddering at the thought of it. 

“ No, no, my pretty,” replied his mother ; “ nice soup made of meat.” 

‘‘Meat!” he exclaimed, staring with astonishment. “Are you going to the 
butcher’s then, mamma ?” 

His mother thereupon laughingly set herself to the task of making him under- 
stand that the cakes which he had mistaken for glue were in reality made of the 
juices of meat, extracted by a peculiar process, and that each of them contained 

as much nourishment as a pound of beef 
“They adopt this plan,” she said, 
“because fresh meat will not keep during 
long voyages. This supplies the place 
of it.” 

Meanwhile Fritz, who had loaded 
his gun, went up the banks of the stream 
to look for game, and Ernest took a 
stroll along the beach. James went hunt- 
ing among the broken rocks in the hope 
of finding mussels. 

I was employing myself in getting 
the casks and other wreckage out of the 
water, when I heard James crying out 
lustily. Armed with an axe, I ran to 
the place whence his voice came, and 
there saw him up to his knees in the 
water. 

“Papa, papa!” he cried in a tone 
of mingled triumph and terror, “ do make 
haste, I have caught such an enormous creature ! ” 

“ That is well,” I said ; “ bring it along.” 

“ I cannot, papa ; it won’t let me.” 

I felt inclined to laugh at the troubles of this conqueror held prisoner by his 
captive, but I found that it was necessary to go to his help ; for a huge lobster had 
seized him by the leg, and poor James tried in vain to release himself from the 
animal’s pincers. 

I at once jumped into the water, whereupon the lobster let go his hold and 
tried to escape ; but I managed to seize him by the middle of the body and carry 
him ashore. My precipitate young friend, James, burning with anxiety to show his 
magnificent captive to his mother, laid hold of the creature with both hands; 




“ We all rowed together ; the rising tide running inland favoured us. Around us floated chestS; 
casks, and hales — strays from the wrecked vessel.”— p. 10. 


14 


The Swiss Family Bobinsok 


scarcely had he grasped it, however, when it swung its tail swiftly round and struck 
him so sharp a blow in the face, that he let it fall at once and began to cry. This 
time I could not refrain, while offering him my consolations, from laughing heartily 
at his misfortune. I pointed out to him that nothing was more simple than to 
render his prisoner perfectly harmless ; all he had to do was to take hold of the 
lobster by the middle of the body. This reassured him, and holding the creature as 
I had suggested, he set out to bear his prize in triumph to his mother. 

“ Mamma ! Trancis ! Ernest ! Eritz ! where is Fritz ? ” he shouted as he 
approached the tent. “ Come and see ! A crab ! a crab ! 

Ernest, after having gravely inspected the animal, advised that it should then 
and there be thrown into the pot, as it would render the* soup more succulent, 
a matter of prime importance to one of his dainty tastes. My wife did not seem 
disposed to rely much upon the excellence of the recipe. She decided that the 
lobster should be. cooked separately. 

Ernest then told us that he had himself made a discovery. 

“ I saw,’^ said he, “ some shell-fish in the sea, and, but that I should have 
wetted my feet, I would have brought some along with me.” 

“ Oh, yes,” replied James with an amusing air of disdain, “ I saw some of those 
things j but what are they ? nothing but mussels. I would not eat one if you were 
to pay me for it. Look at my lobster — that, now, is something like a shell-fish ! ” 

“ Who knows,” returned Ernest, “ but that they may be oysters, and not 
mussels 1 Judging from the manner in wdiich they attach themselves to the rocks, 
and from the depth at which they are found, I should say they were oysters.” 

“ Yery well then, my dainty one,” said I in my turn, “if you really thought 
they were oysters why did you not bring us some ? You were afraid of wetting 
your feet, say you ! Let me tell you that in the situation in which we now find 
ourselves, we shall have to show a greater amount both of self-denial and of energy 
than we have been accustomed to hitherto.” 

“ I also saw,” added Ernest, “ a quantity of salt in the crevices of the rocks. 
“ I fancy the sun must have dried the sea- water there.” 

“You appear to me,” replied I, “to be a most valiant talker, Ernest. If you 
saw a quantity of salt, why did you not scrape some of it together and bring a bag- 
ful back with you ? Go at once and repair this negligence, in order that we may 
no longer be compelled to eat soup which is insipid for the want of the very 
ingredient you have been so fortunate as to discover.” 

Ernest set out on the instant, and soon returned. The salt which he brought, 
however, was so mixed with sand that I was about to throw it away, when my wife 
prevented me. 

She dissolved the white dust in water, which she passed through a cloth. This 
left 'the sand behind, and we seasoned our soup with the liquor. 

l^evertheless, I scolded Ernest for having been so careless. 


The First Day on Shore. 


17 



THE REPAST. 

agouti of the naturalists. In the first place it is too large for a guinea-pig. More- 
over, its flattened head, its small ears, its small tail, its smooth orange-tawny hair, 
and its body rising gradually behind, are all marks which show that it is not what 
you suppose it to be. Besides, in general appearance it resembles a rabbit more than 
a guinea-pig. Its front teeth are sharp, and curved inwards.” 

“Father,” said Ernest, “if these agoutis are not timid, why should we not take 
them alive instead of shooting them ? We might then rear them like rabbits, and 
should always have gamb at hand without the trouble of hunting it.” 

“No doubt,” I said, “the plan is one which admirably commends itself to your 
natural indolence, my poor boy. You may try if you like. The agouti is easily 
tamed, but I fear you will find that it is a kind of rabbit which will give you a good 
deal more trouble than those of Europe. There are no animals that are greater 
adei)ts at gnawing; their teeth are incessantly at work, and are so strong that 
nothing can withstand them. They have been known to nibble through thick wire 
to escape from the cage in which they were confined. In what kind of contrivance, 
then, do you intend to keep them F’ 

James, while his brothers were listening attentively to this little lesson in 
natural history, was exerting himself to the utmost to open an oyster with a knife ; 


2 


iS 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


but, altliougb he put forth all his strength, and twisted his face into the oddest 
contortions, he could not succeed. 

I relieved him of his difficulty. I took some oysters and placed them ujoon the 
hot embers. Here they very soon opened themselves. 

“ There, my children,” said I, “ behold the food that gourmands most prize ! 
Taste it.” 

With these words, I took out an oyster and swallowed it. 

James and Fritz followed my example, but they at once declared that the 
delicacy was detestable. Ernest and Francis confirmed this judgment. 

So we only made use of that part of the oyster which is ordinarily thrown 
away, and threw away that j)art of it which is ordinarily eaten. Employing the 
shells as sj)oons, we began to eat our soup. 

While we were feasting with an excellent appetite, the two dogs, who had no 
doubt good reasons of their own for desiring to follow our example, smelt out Fritz’s 
agouti, and began to devour it in front of the tent. 

Fritz jumped up furious, and, his gun being at hand, he seized hold of it and 
beat them so savagely with the butt end of it that he splintered the wood. Even 
this did not satisfy him, for when the poor creatures sought safety in flight, he flung 
stones at them as long as they were’ within range of his missiles. 

This was not the first time that Fritz had shown proofs of an ungovernable 
temper ; and, as I was desirous of repressing so vicious a trait in his character — a 
trait which afflicted me sorely, and which I foresaw would furnish a very bad 
example to his brothers — I reproved him severely, and pointed out to him that in 
the blindness of his rage he had not only spoilt his gun, which in our present cir- 
cumstances was of the highest value to us, but that he had also run the risk of 
disabling the poor animals, that were calculated to render us services of the most 
important nature. 

He at once comprehended the justice of my reprimand, and testified the deepest 
repentance. I pardoned him on condition that he should make his peace with the 
dogs. Without hesitation he took a piece of biscuit in each hand, and in another 
moment the forgiving creatures were banqueting with him. 

“ Oh, father ! ” he cried, almost weeping, “ what have I done ! Before taking 
the biscuit they have licked my hand in kindness. How could I have been so harsh 
to creatures so good and graieful ! ” 

“ Anger is always wrong, my dear boy,” I said ; “ never forget that.” 

As we finished our repast the sun was sinking below the horizon, and the fowls 
and the ducks came clamouring around us for food. 

It was now that I discovered the use to which my good wife had put the sack 
which she had thrown into one of the tubs of our boat, as I thought, for little Francis 
to sit upon. She brought it out from the tent, and thrusting her hand into it, scat- 
icred abroad a quantity of grain, upon which our feathered friends pounced hungrily. 


An Exploring Expedition. 


19 


I praised her highly for her foresight, but I also remarked that it would be 
much better to save the grain for seed than to waste it upon animals which could be 
fed well enough on damaged biscuit. 

Having partaken of their evening meal, the pigeons flew off to the ledges of 
the rocks, the fowls perched themselves upon the ridge of the tent, and the ducks 
waddled away to take refuge in some beds of rushes at the mouth of the stream 
which ran into the bay. 

We, in our turn, prepared for repose. The arms were charged and so placed 
that we could lay hold upon them at the first alarm of danger, and we offered up 
our evening prayer and retired into the tent. 

The suddenness with which the darkness succeeded the daylight greatly 
astonished the children. For my own part I concluded therefrom that we were 
in a region near the equator, or at all events in some part of the tropics. 

I took one more look outside the tent to assure myself that all was peaceful 
around us, and then closing the entrance, retired to rest. The night was very 
chilly ; we were obliged to lie as close together as possible to preserve our natural 
A\ armth. This contrast between the heat of the day and the coldness of the night, 
confirmed me in the opinion I had formed concerning the geographical position of 
the region in which we found ourselves. 

My wife slept. So did the children. It was agreed between us that I should 
keep watch half the iiight, and then awake my wife to take my })lace. But sweetly 
and insensibly slumber fell upon me ; and God alone kept guard over us during the 
first night that we passed in the land of our deliverance. 


CHAPTER III. 

AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 

The cocks were the first to salute the rising sun, and my wife and I w'ere awakened 
by their song. We at once took counsel together upon the occupations of the day. 
She agreed with me that our first duty was to ascertain, if possible, the fate of our 
fellow-travellers who had abandoned us upon the wrecked vessel. Our search for 
them, too, we thought would enable us to explore the country and fix upon the best 
spot for our future dwelling-place. 

It was finally determined that I and Fritz should set out upon this exploring 
expedition, while my wife remained in the neighbourhood of the tent with the other 
children. This settled, I begged her to prepare breakfast while I called the boys. 
They required no second summons. Even Ernest was promptly afoot. 

I asked James what had become of his lobster. 

He replied that he had taken the precaution of hiding it in a fissure of the 
rocks, lest the dogs should get at it as they had done in the case of FritzV agouti. 


20 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“ That is well,” I said. “ It shows at all events that you know how to be 
careful wlien your own interests are at stake, and also that the experiences of others 
are not thrown away upon you. But, however that may be, are you willing to hand 
over to us the large claws of your prize, to furnish us with food during a journey 
we are about to make ? ” 

“Oh! a journey ! a journey!” cried "all the children at once. “Take me, 
papa ! do take me !” 

“ It is not possible,” I said, “ that the whole family should set out upon the 
expedition we have now in hand ; we should travel far too slowly, and in case of 
danger it would be the more difficult to defend ourselves. Fritz alone will accom- 
pany me. The larger dog — whom we will call Turk, if you like — will come with 
us. The rest of you will remain here \,ith your mother, under the care of the other 
dog, to whom I propose to give the name of Fan.” 

Fritz, blushing as he spoke, begged to be allowed to take another gun with him, 
as his own was now useless. 

I gave him the required permission, without appearing to remark the confusion 
which the passing remembrance of his pardoned fault had caused him. I also thrust 
into his belt a pair of pistols and a hatchet, and armed myself in a similar manner. 
In our game-bags I placed powder and shot and a small supply of biscuits, together 
with a couple of tin flasks filled with fresh water. 

Breakfast was now ready : it consisted of biscuits and the lobster, which my 
wife had cooked upon the rude hearth where we yesterday boiled our soup. The fish 
was, however, so tough that the greater part of it remained for Fritz and me to carry 
with us. 

Fritz wa& of opinion that we ought to set out at once, before the heat of the 
day fell upon us. 

“You are right,” I said; “we will start immediately. But we have forgotten 
one thing of the greatest importance.” 

“ What is that ? ” he asked — “ to embrace my mother and my brothers ? ” 

“ I know,” said Ernest — “ we have not yet offered up our thanks to God.” 

“You are a good boy my dear Ernest,” I replied; “you have comprehended 
my meaning exactly.” 

Here I was rudely interrupted by James, who, pretending to pull a roj^e, 
shouted, “ Bim-bom ! bim-bom ! bibitibom ! ” in imitation of the church-bells, and 
cried, “ To prayers ! to prayers ! ” 

“Wicked boy ! ” I said, “to attempt to turn that which is sacred into derision ! 
In order to punish you, I shall not permit you to offer your prayers with us. 
Betire !” 

Overcome by this reprimand, James turned away with a full heart, and fell 
upon his knees a short distance from us. While we were praying, I heard him 
weeping and imploring the merciful God to pardon his untimely pleasantry. After- 


An Exploring Expedition. 


21 


wards he came to me to promise humbly that he would never commit a similar fault 
again. I forgave and embraced him, being pleased to see that a good heart lay con- 
cealed beneath his outer demonstrations of folly. 

After I had counselled the children who were to remain with their mother to 
abide in unity and obedience until our return, we departed on our unknown journey. 
It was not without grief and tears that we thus set out ; for my wife was sorrowful 
with the vague fear that we might come to harm in our adventures, and for my own 
part, I was troubled by anxieties for the dear treasure I was leaving behind me. 

We hastened our steps, and very soon the murmuring of the stream whose 
course we were following drowned the distant farewells of our beloved ones. 

In order to cross the stream, it was necessary, as Fritz had found on the 
previous day, to travel towards its source, to a place where it leapt over the steep 
rocks in the form of a cascade. At the top of the fall the water was narrower and 
more shallow, and by stepping upon pieces of broken rock we were enabled to cross 
safely. 



THE SHORE OF THE BAY. 


Upon the opposite bank Nature changed her aspect entirely. We found 
ourselves at first in the midst of an expanse of tall grass, dried by the sun, entangled 
in its growth, and very tough, through which we made our way slowly and with 
difficulty. 

Scarcely had we gone a hundred steps, when we heard a strange noise behind 
us, and turning, we saw the rank grass agitated, as if some creature were making its 
way towards us. 

Fritz promptly brought his gun to his shoulder, finger on trigger, prepared to 
receive the aggressor bravely, whatever it might be. It turned out to be only Turk 
our dog, whom we had forgotten, and who now came to rejoin us. I received the 
sagacious animal with caresses, and felicitated Fritz upon the coolness with which 
he had behaved himself ; for not only was he not im the least frightened by the 
possible approach of an unseen enemy, but he had also been careful not to fire 
precipitately. Had he drawn his trigger, he might have killed our best friend. 

Continuing our route, we came at length to the shore of the bay. Here we 
looked anxiously out to sea, sweeping the horizon with J ames’s glass in the hope of 
catching some glimpse of the frail boats containing the companions of., our voyage. 
But as far as vision extended we could see nothing but the ceaseless rocking of the 


22 


Till: Swiss Family Eobinson. 


restless waves. . Then we carefully examined the sand, in the hope that we might 
find some traces of human foot-prints ; but here again we failed. 

“Let us,” said Eritz, “fire ofi* our guns from time to time. If any of our late 
companions should be in the neighbourhood, they will then guess that Europeans are 
near, and make towards us.” 

“ So far, so good,” I replied ; “ but how can you be sure ’that these same signals 
may not be the means of drawing about us a band of savages, with whom a meeting 
would be far from agreeable 1 ” 

“ Very true,” said Eritz ; “ and after all, why should Ave take so much trouble 
about those who had so little humanity as to abandon us to our fate upon the 
wreck 1 ” 

“ Eor many reasons,” I replied gravely. “ Eirst of all, it is not Christian-like 
to render evil for evil ; and secondly, though it is quite possible that our companions 
may have need of us, we also have great need of them. We should be helpful to 
each other in many ways.” 

“ Truly,” he replied ; “ but at all events, in seeking them we shall lose valuable 
time which we might employ better — as, for instance, in landing the cattle which we 
left upon the wreck.” 

“Among several duties,” I replied, “let us fulfil the most important first. 
Kemember, my dear boy, that the animals of which you speak have food provided 
for several days, and that the sea, which is still calm, menaces the Avreck with no 
present danger of being broken uj). Besides, it is a far nobler employment to sa\’e 
human life than to rescue mere beasts of the field,” 

We were now turning from tlie shore to travel inland. After we had gone 
about two leagues, with our eyes always on the Avatch, Ave entered a Avood. We had 
noAV been Avalking near upon two hours, and the sun had risen to its full height. 
We therefore made a halt, and sat down upon the grassy bank of a little brook that 
rippled softly among the trees. Around us strange birds of lovely plumage 
fluttered and chattered, and twittered incessantly. 

Eritz would have it that he saw a monkey in the branches of one of the trees. 
At first I thought he must be wrong. But as Turk Avent sniffing in the direction 
where Eritz was pointing, and all at once began to bark, I came to the conclusion 
that it was I who was mistaken, and not my boy. 

Eritz at once got up to verify his discovery, and as he Avalked along with his 
eyes among the branches, his foot struck a round thing bristling Avith fibres, which 
caused him to stumble. With a touch of ill-humour at being interrupted in his 
purpose, he looked down, and picking up the object over which he had fallen, 
brought it to me saying that he thought it must be the nest of som© strange bird. 

“ Your nest, my dear Eritz,” I said, smiling at his mistake, “ is a cocoa-nut.” 

With that oppngnant kind of self-love which is natural to youth he persisted in 
his opinion. 


. An Exploring Expedition. 


23 


« There are certain kinds of birds, I know,” he said, “ which build round nests 
like these. I have read of them often.” 

“ That is very true,” I replied, “ but why should you decide a matter so 
precipitately, and hold to your opinion when I assure you that it is ill-founded ? Do 
you not remember also to have read that the cocoa-nut is surrounded by a mass of 
fibres which are in their turn covered with a thin brittle skin ? The nut which you 
have found is, no doubt, an old one, and the outside covering of it has been destroyed 
by exposure. If you remove the hairy fibres that are left you will find the nut 
itself within.” 

Fritz did as he was told, and saw that I was right. We then broke the shell, 
but found nothing within it but a withered kernel not fit to eat. The nut had lain 
too long on the ground. 

“ Hillo ! ” said Fritz, “ is this the wonderful fruit upon which our notable 
young scholar Ernest discourses so enthusiastically ? I thought we were to find a 
delicious milk inside it.” 

“ And that is precisely what you would have found,” I returned, “ if you had 
happened to pick up a nut which was not so old. But as the nut ripens, the milk 
which it contains hardens gradually upon the interior of the shell until it finishes 
by becoming a kernel, which still later on dries up like this one has — unless, in the 
meantime, it falls upon suitable ground ; and in that case the kernel, in budding 
forth, bursts the shell, takes root, and grows into a new tree.” 

“What ? ” cried Fritz, fairly astonished, “do you mean to say that the kernel 
has power to break through a shell so thick and strong as this is ? ” 

“ Most certainly,” I rejDlied. “ Have you never heard that j)each-stones, which 
are quite as hard as the shells of cocoa-nuts, are burst open in this manner in thti 
earth r’ 

“ Yes ; but then the peach-stone is naturally formed of two parts, and therefore 
separates easily when the kernel is swollen with moisture.” 

. I commended my son for the justness of this remark, and then showed him 
that the cocoa-nut budded forth in a different manner to the peach-stone. I pointed 
out three little openings near the stalk of the nut. 

“ These little holes,” I said, “ as you may see, are closed up with a kind of 
spongy matter, much softer than the rest of the shell. It is through these that the 
shoots of the tree and the roots first start forth, and it is the growing wood that 
eventually breaks up the shell.” 

I was happy to see that my boy followed these demonstrations with the liveliest 
interest, for they were his first initiation into the wise laws of creation. 

We now resumed our journey, making our way through the wood, which 
seemed interminable. Very often we were obliged to cut a road with our axes 
through the innumerable trailing plants that interlaced themselves on every hand. 
At every step some magnificent shrub or strange tree offered itself to our view. 


24 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 



THE HALTING-PLACE IN THE WOOD.— p. 22. 


Fritz, wlio marvelled more and more at every new sight, suddenly cried out. 
Oh, papa ! what are these trees with large swellings on their trunks ? ” 

I recoscnised at once the calabash, the flexible trunk of which winds itself 
round larger and more stately trees, and holds drooping from its stem the gourd with 
its hard, dry shell. This shell, I told Fritz, was often used for dishes, basins, bottles. 


FRITZ’S TEMPER.-3). 18. 





26 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


and spoons, while some savages even employed ifc to boil their water in and cook 
their victuals. 

He was much puzzled to understand how it was that a shell apparently so frail 
could bear the heat of a fire without being burnt. 

I then explained to him the plan pursued by the savages. They did not, I told 
him, place the gourd on the fire. They filled it with water, and then cast in, one by 
one, pebbles which had previously been made red-hot. In time this caused the 
liquid to boil. 

“ Oh,” he cried, is that all 1 The thing is so simple that I should have 
thought of it myself with a moment’s reflection.” 

“No doubt,” I said, “ you would have made the discovery as easily as 
Columbus’s friends found out how to stand an egg on its small end. He showed - 
them the way, and then they knew how to do it. Remember, my son, that 
the simplest discoveries are often those which remain the longest unknown.” 

While chatting thus, we had each taken a calabash, which we were trying to 
turn into some vessel or other of use in the household. Fritz endeavoured to cut 
his with his knife, and not being successful, was seized with one of his impatient fits 
and flung it away. I pursued a different plan. I wound a piece of string round 
the gourd, and by dint of drawing it tighter and tighter, I succeeded in breaking 
the shell neatly in two, and found myself possessed of a couple of basins of equal 
size. 

“Well,” said Fritz, “this only shows the truth of what you were saying. An 
idea at once so simple and so ingenious as that would never have occurred to me. 
How did you think of it ? ” 

“ The merit of the invention,” I replied, “ is not mine. I only remember to 
have read somewhere that the device is one employed by savage tribes who have no 
knives, and I thought that I would put it in practice.” 

Fritz then desired to know how bottles were made of the gourd. “ I can easily 
understand,” he said, “ that after the calabash has been left to dry, a hole can be 
made in it and the pith withdrawn. But how is it possible to give to this round 
ball a more convenient form ? How, for instance, can any part of it be shaped into 
anything like the neck of a bottle ” 

I told him that to arrive at this result it was the custom to bind strips of cloth 
or bark around the stalk end of the fruit when it was very young. The tied part 
could then grow no more, while the remainder of the gourd swelled out to its 
proper size. 

Having witnessed my own success in basin-making, Fritz took courage and set 
to work again — this time with string instead of a knife. 

Between us we made as many vessels as we thought would be useful, These I 
laid out in the sun to dry, having previously filled them with sand to prevent them 
from being drawn out of shape in the process. Then, in order that we might be 


An Exploring Expedition. 


27 


able to find them with ease on our return, we carefully noted the spot where we had 
placed them 

We now pursued our journey, employing ourselves as we went in cutting some 
spoons out of the fragments of two or three calabashes which we had broken while 
making our basins. We produced nothing very remarkable; but rough as they 
were, our gourd-spoons were marvels of convenience as compared with the oyster- 
shells with which we had been obliged to eat our soup on the previous evening. 

Fritz jumped for joy. “ Dishes, plates, cups ! ” he exclaimed. Won’t 

mamma be delighted ! She will not know which basins to serve our soup in, she 
will have so many ! ” 

And then, thinking of little Francis — “ Father,” he said, “ let us find a little 
calabash; the spoons we have been making will stretch the little fellow’s mouth 
from ear to ear. I will try and make him a small set of dinner-things for 
himself” 

And as one good thought leads to another, he next made a couple of large 
basins for Master Turk and Miss Fan, who, since the beating he gave them on the 
previous evening, had looked askance at him whenever he came near them. 

When his task was completed, Fritz took out some of his own biscuit, and 
some of the fresh water which he carried in his flask, and made Turk a sop in his 
new basin. As soon as the grateful beast saw the appetising morsel placed before 
him, his eyes glistened with tenderness, and he graciously licked the hand of his 
young host in token of forgiveness. All evidently was forgotten. 

After having walked steadily on for about three hours, we came to a tongue of 
land which ran far out into the sea, and ended in a lofty hill, up which we climbed 
with some difficulty and a great deal of perspiration. The view from the summit 
embraced a vast extent of sea and land ; but, although aided by our glass, we could 
discover no trace of our shipwrecked companions, nor, on the other hand, any 
indication that the country upon which we had been cast was inhabited. 

But to compensate us for our disappointment, a magnificent scene lay spread 
out before us. At our feet glittered the sea, sleeping calmly in an immens.e bay, the 
shores of which were clothed with a wealth of many-coloured foliage, that stretched 
away on either hand to a dimly-seen cape that faded softly into the blue distance. 
It was a scene that would have filled me with rapture, but that my thoughts were 
pre-occupied by saddening reflections as to the fate of our companions. At the 
same time I could not resist a feeling of satisfaction in contemplating a country 
whose evident fertility gave me the liveliest hopes for our future. 

“ Ab, well !” I sighed ; “ here we are, an^isolated band of colonists, condemned 
to live alone or perish. God, in his inscrutable purposes, has so decided. We must 
submit ourselves courageously to his will.” 

As to that,” cried Fritz gaily, “ there are three times as many of us as there 
were when Adam and Eve began life ; and who knows but that, like the patriarch 


28 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


of the Bible, we may turn out to be the progenitors of a great and innumerable 
nation 

This notion of an Abraham of fifteen years of age made me smile. 

The sun darted down his most ardent beams at the time, and I told Fritz to 
follow me to the grateful shadow of a grove of palm-trees which I saw in the 
distance. “ For,” said I, “ it would be a very painful thing, my poor Fritz, if we 
were to be roasted alive before having accomplished our patriarchal destiny.” 

Fie flung his arms around my neck instantly. “ Dear father,” he said, “ I was 
only desirous to enliven you a little ; as to us children, we complain not. Where 
you and my mother are, you will always find us. Take courage, then ; we shall all 
be happy. For we children are growing older every day, and shall soon be able to 
do enough work to relieve you of yours.” 

The dear child ! His love and forethought were in advance of his years. 
I pressed him to my heart, and thanked God that he had given me so good 
a son. 

In order to reach the palm-grove, it was necessary to cross a large bed of reeds, 
so thickly grown and tangled that they impeded our journey seriously. As the 
place seemed to me to be a likely habitation for venomous reptiles, I advised Fritz 
to proceed cautiously, and in order the more readily to defend myself if attacked, cut 
one of the thickest of the reeds for a weapon. Scarcely had I done so, when I felt 
my hand wetted with a glutinous kind of liquid tliat exuded from the end of 
my reed. I touched the juice with my lips, and it became clear to me at once that 
we were traversing a natural plantation of sugar-canes. 

I did not tell Fritz, being desirous to leave to him the pleasure of making the 
precious discovery for himself. 

He was walking before me. I told him to cut himself a reed, as that would be 
a far more certain weapon for use against serpents than either a pistol or a knife. 

He did as he was told, and it was not long before I heard him crying out in 
transports of joy, “ Sugar-cane I sugar-cane ! What exquisite juice ! what delicious 
syrup ! How delighted my mother and my brothers will be ! And to finish with, 
nothing now will be wanting to complete the happiness of Master Ernest. He will 
have his sugar ! ” 

Upon this he broke his cane into several pieces, in order to get at the juice 
more readily, and fell to sucking them with the greatest avidity. I should have 
scolded him for his gluttony if I had not reflected that he must be very thirsty. 
Indeed I cannot but confess that, being oppressed by thirst myself, I felt strongly 
induced to follow his example. 

“ I will take home,” he said, “ a rare bundle of these canes for my mother and 
the boys. They will be deliglited to feast upon them ; and besides that, we can use 
one or two to refresh ourselves upon the road.” 

I advised him not to burden himself with too heavy a load, as we had yet a 


An Exploring Expedition. 


29 



“ Turk dashed barking amongst a troop of monkeys.”— p. 32. 


long distance to travel. But he cut nearly a dozen of the very largest he could 
find, stripped them of their leaves, and tucked them under his arm. 

Hardly had we got into the palm-grove when a troop of monkeys, alarmed by 
our approach and the barking of Turk, sprang into the trees, from the topmost 
branches of which they looked down upon us in terror, uttering 'piercing cries and 
grimacing horribly. 



30 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


Fritz, without a moment’s reflection, flung down his burden, brought his gun to 
his shoulder, and had already his Auger on the trigger, when I laid my hand upon 
the weapon. 

“Why,” said I, “are you going to kill these animals?” 

“ Monkeys,” he replied, “ are such malicious and mischievous beasts. See how 
they are menacing us and showing their teeth !” 

“ Let us suppose that it is so,” I returned ; “ still, if these poor creatures are 
angry with us, have they not cause ? Do we not come here disturbing and alarming 
them in their own native homes ? , And as to killing any creature whatever, without 
necessity, pray let us keep ourselves from that .! It is already sad enough to reflect 
that the care of his own life should place man in a state of enforced warfare with 
so many of the poor animals around him. Take my advic.e : let these harmless 
monkeys live. Who knows indeed but that they may be useful to us ?” 

“Useful !” repeated Fritz in undisguised astonishment, “monkeys useful ! In 
what way, dear father, can monkeys possibly be useful ? ” 

“ You shall see,” said I. 

With that I flung some stones up towards the monkeys, without any intention 
of striking them. At once, obeying their natural instinct for imitation, they began 
to pick from the tops of the palms a quantity of cocoa-nuts, which they flung down 
upon us in wild emulation. It was not diflicult to avoid these missiles, for they 
were by no means well aimed. 

Fritz was immensely diverted by the success of my ruse. 

“ Thank you, my good friends, thank you !” he cried out to the monkeys as he 
hid himself first behind this tree and then behind that. “ Many, many thanks for 
your kindness ! ” 

As soon as the shower of nuts slackened, he gathered up as many as he could 
carry, and we moved off to regale ourselves at leisure out of reach of the monkeys. 

First of all we opened the small apertures near the stalk of the fruit with the 
points of our knives, and thence drank the milk which the shell contained. To our 
great surprise, however, we did not find this liquor to be so good as we had thought 
it would be. The cream which adhered to the inside of the shell seemed to us to be 
better. So we broke open the nuts with our axes, scraped the cream into our 
calabash spoons, sweetened it with sugar out of our canes, and made a delicious meal. 

Thanks to this windfall, Fritz was now able to give to Turk all that remained 
of the lobster and the biscuit. Even this, however, was but poor fare for a dog of 
his robust appetite. He ate it up to the last scrap, and then hungrily chewed the 
remains of the canes we had been using, and smelt about for stray remains of the 
kernels of the cocoa-nuts. 

In the meantime I tied together all the cocoa-nuts that had stalks and slung 
them over my shoulder, while Fritz gathered up what remained of the canes. Then, 
much refreshed by our repast, we set out to rejoin the family. 


The Return Journey. 


81 


CHAPTER lY. 

THE RETURN JOURNEY. A NIGHT ADVENTURE. 

It was not long before Fritz began to find liis burden troublesome. At first I saw 
him shifting it from shoulder to shoulder j then he tried carrying it first under one 
arm and then under the other. 

At length, with a heavy sigh of fatigue, he said, “ Really, papa, I did not think 
it possible, when you warned me just now, that these few canes would become so 
burdensome. Still I am very anxious to carry them all to the tent, so that both my 
mother and the boys may share with us in the delicious feast which we have made.” 

“Courage, Fritz!” said I ; “courage and patience, my son! Compare your 
burden to the basket of loaves carried by the man in HEsop, and remember that it 
becomes lighter with each repast we make. Depend upon it we shall considerably 
diminish our load of canes before we reach home. Come, give me one, that I may 
use it both as a jDilgrim’s staff and a portable hive of honey. Take one yourself 
to use in the same manner; your load will thus be lightened by two out of your ten 
canes. For the rest, tie them together in such a manner that you may sling them 
on the end of your gun and carry them across your back. And remember this,” 
I added gravely, “ that henceforward we shall often have to appeal to our imagina- 
tions to draw our minds off from the embarrassments which this untilled country is 
likely to cause us.” 

Upon this we again resumed our journey. 

Fritz, seeing that from time to time I lifted the cane he had given me to my 
lips, and seemed to be refreshed thereby, endeavoured to follow my example. But 
his efforts were in vain ; he failed to extract from it the least drop of liquor. 
Growing imj)atienti, he at last asked me how this came about. 

“ Reflect a little,” I replied, “and I feehcertain that you will find out for your- 
self.” 

He was not long in discovering the explanation of the phenomenon. He knew 
that it was of no use to suck a tube which contained no passage for the air, and in 
order to provide such a passage in his cane he found it necessary to make a hole in 
the side just above the next joint below the end which he placed to his mouth- 
The hole once pierced, he found no farther difficulty in extracting the juice, and 
could refresh himself from time to time as I did with the delicious beverage which 
was to be thus obtained. 

At the same time I felt it right to remark that it would not be wise to 
become too expert in drawing the juice out of our canes, or we should find ourselves 
carrying little else than sticks to the tent. 

At this Fritz seemed troubled. 


B2 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


“Do not be too deej^ly concerned at this,” I continued, being desirous of com- 
forting him, “ for the juice itself will not keep sweet long, especially when the canes 
are exposed to the sun. The heat turns it sour. Indeed it is not at all unlikely 
that if we had much farther to travel, we should earry home to those who are, no 
doubt, anxiously awaiting us, little else but a few canes full of a very acrid, instead 
of a very sweet liqiior.” 

“Even in that case,” returned Fritz joyously, “I can make amends. 1 have 
my tin flask full of cocoa-nut milk. I filled it when you were not looking, to give 
you a surprise.” 

“You are a good boy,” I replied, “and your intentions are most excellent. 
But at the same time it is only right that you should know, to save you disappoint- 
ment, that once out of the shell, the milk of the cocoa-nut ferments and becomes 
acrid too.” 

Fritz pulled out his flask at once, but scarcely had he touched the cork when 
it flew out with a pop, and the liquor came foaming out after it like champagne. 
We tasted this liquor, and it appeared to us to be very agreeable. Fritz, indeed, 
found it so much to his palate that I was compelled to counsel him to moderation. 
I feared that the drink might get into his head. 

Whatever may have been the nature of the liquor in its new form, we felt very 
much refreshed by it, and trudged along more lightly than ever. 

Before long we came again to the place where we had left our gourd-vessels. 
They were perfectly dry now, and we took them up to carry back with us. 

A little further on, Turk dashed barking amongst a troop of monkeys, who’ 
were gambling peacefully on the ground in ignorance of our near approach. 

At the first barkings of the dog the nimble creatures sprang into the trees and 
dispersed themselves. In a moment, indeed, they had all disappeared with the 
exception of a she-monkey who was giving suck to her little one, and who being less 
agile than her companions, was seized upon by Turk and worried. 

Fritz at once rushed off to save her. He lost his hat, flung his canes and his 
flask behind him, and threw down his gun ; but he was too late. When he reached 
the spot the poor beast was dead, and the dog had already begun to devour her. 

Fritz indignantly tried to force Turk to discontinue his sanguinary repast ; but 
on coming up I dissuaded him from doing so. It was evident that the dog was 
hungry, and it was too late to save his victim. ‘ My advice, therefore, was to let him 
satisfy his appetite. ' 

The little monkey managed to escape the fangs of the dog, and overcome by 
fright, sat squatting tranquilly by a tuft of herbage, grinding its teeth and watching 
the sad scene fixedly. 

As soon as he saw Fi-itz he leapt at a bound upon his shoulder and clung there 
so tightly, that the poor boy, in spite of all his efforts, could not relieve himself of 
his unwelcome companion. 


The Return Journey. 


SS 



FKITZ AND HIS YOUNG PROTEGE. 


It was not without some emotion that he could bring himself to beat the little 
creature : it was so innocent. It had evidently no intention to harm him. 
Separated from its mother, it seemed only to implore his protection against the 
terrible enemy that had just made it an orphan. 

After involuntarily diverting myself for a moment with the ridiculous state of 
embarrassment in which my son found himself, I went up and, using all gentleness 
with the animal, induced it to relinquish its hold. And then, when it nestled itself 
in my arms like a child taking shelter in the bosom of its nurse, I felt myself over 
come by a strong sentiment of pity for it. 

“ Hapless little being ! ” I said, “ what is to be thy fate I know not. I or it 
behoves us to think twice before deciding to admit another useless mouth to our 
little colony.” 

But Fritz interrupted me at once — 

“ Oh, papa,” he cried, “ do let me keep it, pray ! It will die if we abandon it. 
Let me adopt the little thing. I have read that monkeys, guided by their natural 
instinct, are able to distinguish fruits that are good for mankind to eat from those 
which are noxious. If that is true we surely ought not to hesitate to attach this 
little companion to our common interests.” 


3 


34 


The Swiss Family Bobinsoh. 

“ So be it, then, my boy,” I replied. “ Nothing gives me greater pleasure than 
to recognise in your request both the goodness of your heart, and the wisdom of 
your reflections, I consent to the adoption of your young favourite j but remember 
that it will be henceforth your duty to rear it wisely, lest at some future time we 
should be constrained to undo what we have now done.” 

While we were discoursing thus, the abominable and imperturbable Turk 
tranquilly finished his odious repast. 

Friend Turk,” said Fritz with solemnity, jDointing the while at the monkey, 
which he had now taken on his arm, yoii have made an orphan ; you have eaten 
the mother of this poor innocent. We are compelled to pardon you this crime 
because you are only an animal devoid of reason. But keep careful watch over this 
little one, and promise me to love and respect it henceforth. It is happily too young 
to be conscious of the grievous wrong yovi have done it. If you turn honest and 
repentant, I will undertake to reward you for your conversion with the best of 
cooked food, instead of these horrifying feasts of raw flesh.” 

Turk crouched at Fritz’s feet, as if he fully comj)rehended the gravity of this 
discourse. His eyes, glistening with moisture, wandered intelligently from those of 
his young master to those of the motherless animal which Fritz was caressing before 
him, in order to show that it was henceforth to be held sacred from his teeth. 

This agreement concluded between Fritz and the dog, the monkey retook its 
place upon its master’s shoulder, and sat there with as much tranquillity and 
confidence as if it had never known a safer haven of rest. It showed new signs of 
fright, it is true, when its dread enemy, Turk, began gambolling round Fritz’s legs, 
striving to hide itself in his breast, beneath his arms — anywhere. And here Fritz 
was struck with a strange idea. 

Desiring to assure himself that the reconciliation between the two animals was 
real, he again addressed the guilty Turk. 

“ Bascal ! ” he said, “ repair thy fault. Thou hast deprived this poor little one 
of its parent and guardian ; it is only just that thou shouldst replace her.” 

Then passing a cord round Turk’s neck, he gave the end of it to the' monkey, 
which he seated upon the astonished dog’s back, after the manner of a horseman. 
Turk accepted his new duty with a very ill grace at first, but after a sharp reprimand 
he submitted ; and the droll little animal, completely reassured, appeared to find the 
niace in which Fritz had installed him convenient and comfortable. 

“Well,” said I to Fritz, “we have come to something at last. Does it not 
occur to you that, with our dog, our monkey, our basins, and our sticks, we look like 
a couple of mountebanks on their way to a fair 'i It will astonish your brothers 
rarely to see us come home in this guise — eh 1 ” 

“It will indeed,” said Fritz; “and James, who is so great a hand at making 
grimaces, will now have a professor to teach him a few more in the person of our 
young cavalier there.” 


The Return Journey. 


35 


“You should not speak thus of your brother,” I replied. “When people are 
born to live together, and love each other, it is very wrong to make remarks upon 
their common peculiarities. Mutual forbearance is the only guarantee of union and 
happiness. All of us have faults and follies and foibles, and it is only by refraining 
from noticing the oddities in others, that we can hope to escape having them 
noticed in ourselves.” 

Fritz confessed that he had spoken without reflection, and upon that we turned 
the conversation into a new channel. 

From the event which had just occurred, he was led to descant upon the cruelty 
of the ancient Spaniards who, on discovering and settling in America, were so in- 
sensible of the blessings that God had given them, that their first act was to train 
dogs to hunt down and worry the harmless aboriginal inhabitants of the New Con- 
tinent, in the same manner as Turk had hunted down and worried the hapless she- 
monkey. 

One thing led to another, and I then told Fritz all I knew concerning the 
nature and habits of monkeys. 

These entertaining conversations so beguiled the journey for us, that almost 
before we had given the matter a thought we found ourselves in the midst of the 
family, who were awaiting us on the bank of the stream. 

The dogs saluted one another afar off by loud barkings ; and Turk’s part in the 
greeting so frightened the little monkey that he again leapt upon Fritz’s shoulder, 
and could not be pei’suaded to come off. 

Scarcely had the children caught sight of us, when they burst into loud shouts 
of joy ; and when, as we came closer, they saw the monkey crouching tremblingly 
upon Fritz’s shoulder, their delight knew no bounds. 

“ Oh ! a monkey ! a monkey ! Where did you find it ? How did you catch it ? 
Oh ! what a pretty little creature ! ” 

And then noticing our other burdens — 

“ What are those sticks ? where did you get them ? what are they for ? And 
papa, too ! what are those basins for ? where did you get them ? how did you make 
them 'I Oh, do tell us all about it ? ” 

There was such a deluge of questions, indeed, that they fairly overwhelmed us 
and we were unable to reply to them. 

The first transports of the children’s joy being abated : In the mercy of 
God,” I said, “ you see us both returned safe and sound ; and not only so, but we 
have brought you, my dear little ones, all sorts of good things. But of those who 
were the cause of our expedition, and whom we went out to seek — the unfortunate 
beings who left the ship so precipitately — we have, alas ! seen nothing. Not the 
least trace of the companions of our voyage is to 

“My love,” said my wife, interrupting me, “pray do not overcloud our joy so 
soon ! Let us thank God that at least he has preserved ns all during our separa- 


36 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


tion, and brought us together again in peace and safety. Come, disembarrass your- 
selves of your burdens, and tell us all about the incidents of your journey. 

At once we were surrounded by little hands which were busy to relieve us of 
our loads! 

Ernest took possession of the cocoa-nuts — without, however, recognising what 
they were. Francis took the gourd- vessels, which were much admired, and his 
own dinner set made by Fritz, which he flatly declared to be far preferable to the 
silver one which he had been wont to use at home. 

James took my gun, my wife my game-bag. Fritz distributed his sugar-canes 
among the party, and again seated the monkey on Turk’s back. Then he gave his 
gun to Ernest, who hinted that it might possibly go off if he were required to carry 
it, inasmuch as he was very heavily loaded already. 

My wife, understanding this indirect complaint, relieved him of the cocoa-nuts, 
and our little caravan set out in procession for the tent. 

“ Ah ! ” said Fritz, “ if Ernest only knew the name of those balls which he has 
just allowed mamma to take from him, he would by no means have parted with 
them so readily.” 

“ What are they h ” asked James. 

Cocoa-nuts,” said Fritz. 

“ Cocoa-nuts ! ” cried Ernest, “ real cocoa-nuts ! Oh, mamma ! do give them 
back to me ! I can carry both them and the gun too quite easily ; and there will be 
no danger of the gun’s going off.” 

“No, no,” replied his mother; “you will soon grow tired of carrying them 
again, and I do not care to hear your continual complaints.” 

“ Oh, do, mamma ! ” cried Ernest again ; “ I will promise not to say a word. 
•Besides, I can throw away these switches that Fritz has given me and carry the gun 
in my hand.” 

“ You had better be careful what you are doing,” said Fritz drily, “for those 
same switches, as you call them, are neither more nor less than sugar-canes ; and I 
am going to show you all how to extract the delicious juice which they contain.” 

“ Capital ! capital ! ” cried all the children together. “ Come on, Fritz, do show 
'us how to get the juice out of the sugar-canes ! ” » 

Thereupon Fritz walked on with his brothers, and while he was explaining to 
them the mystery of the vent-hole I followed after with my wife, whose natural 
curiosity I satisfied with a brief account of the little adventures of the day. 

None of the curiosities which we had brought home gave so much pleasure as 
the vessels we had cut out of the calabashes. Though very roughly fashioned, and 
at best but make-shifts, it was at once seen that they were likely to be of the 
greatest utility to us. 

' On reaching the tent we found that our good friends who had come to meet us 
had made every preparation for giving us a substantial repast. 


The Return Journey. 


37 



THE “STUPID PENGUIN.” 


Our pot full of appetising soup stood bubbling on tbe top of the fire, and wliile 
fish were being grilled on one side of it, a large goose was roasting on the other — 
the shell of yesterday^s crab being placed beneath it to catch the fat. Hard by stood 
a staved-in cask filled with excellent Dutch cheese ; so that we had a variety of 
eatables before us, all calculated to excite our appetites — which, I may remark, had 
been rather coquetted witli than satisfied by what we had eaten during the day. 

At the same time, I could not help . remarking to my wife that I thought she 
had begun to kill our poultry very soon, and that in my opinion, much as I should 
enjoy the dish when it was served up, it would have been far better to leave the 
creature alive in order that it might multiply its species for the future. 

“ Make yourself quite ^‘»sy, love, on that point,” said my wife ; “ our stock of 


38 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


provisions will be but very slightly diminished by the meal before us. Little Francis 
caught the fish, I myself found the cask of cheese on the beach, and the fowl was 
brought down by Ernest, who gives it a very strange name.” 

“ I gave it the right name,” interrupted our young scholar ; “ I called it a 
stupid penguin. As to its being stupid there can be no doubt whatever, for it 
allowed me to come close up to it and kill it with a stick. That it is a penguin I 
know, for it has all the peculiarities of that bird mentioned in the natural histories. 
It has four claws, which are united by a web, and it has short legs. It sits in one 
position for hours together, and, as it sits, looks in shape something like a bottle. 
Moreover, its beak is long and strong, and curved over at the end.” 

I congratulated the young savant upon the good use he had made of his reading, 
and then we sat ourselves in a circle on the sand to commence our repast. Each of 
us was furnished with a calabash basin and spoon. 

The children, while waiting for the soup to cool, broke some of the cocoa-nuts 
and eagerly drank the milk, which, as I have said before, was none of the best. 
Then we attacked the soup, and after that the fish, which I cannot but confess was a 
little too dry. Next we fell- to upon the penguin, which had a strong flavour as of 
train-oil about it. This, however, did not prevent us from enjoying so sumptuous a 
repast ; for a good appetite always makes a good dinner. 

The monkey, as was natural, became an object of general attention. The 
children dipped the corners of their handkerchiefs into the cocoa-nut milk and 
gave them him to suck, thinking that by this device he would not miss his mother 
so much. The little creature took to his food so intelligently, and with so excellent 
an appetite, that we had no longer any fear of not being able to rear him. We 
decided that we would call him Nip. 

Fritz asked me whether I did not think that with so capital a dinner before us 
we might venture to indulge in some of his cocoa-champagne. 

‘‘ Taste it first,” replied I, “ and see if you can conscientiously offer it us to 
drink.” 

Scarcely had he placed the bottle to his lips when he took it away again, and 
with a ludicrous grimace cried out, “ Pah ! why, it’s vinegar !” 

“ I told you that was how it would be,” I said. “ But no matter. Out of evil 
comes good. This vinegar will do admirably to eat with our fish : it will take oft’ 
the dryness which we perceived in them.” 

Thereupon I poured a little of the liquid into my gourd-plate, and all the rest 
following my example, we soon made an end of the fish that we had previously left. 
Finally we took some cheese, and also used our vinegar with that. 

The repast finished, and the sun fast sinking below the horizon, we offered up 
our evening prayer, and retired to our mossy beds in the tent. 

Fritz and James placed Nip between them, and covered him well to keep him 
warm. “He is our child,” they said laughingly. 


A Voyage to the Wreck. 


39 


As was the case on the previous night, I took another look outside the tent 
after slumber had fallen upon my family, and finding everything peaceful, closed the 
door, retired to my bed, and was soon sound asleep with my dear ones around me. 

I could not have been asleep long, however, when I was awakened by the 
yelping of the dogs and the fluttering of the fowls, which were perched upon the top 
-of the tent. 

I leapt up at once and went outside, followed by my wife and Fritz, who did 
not sleep so soundly as his brothers. We each of us had taken the precaution of 
carrying a weapon with us. 

By the clear light of the moon, we saw our dogs engaged in a fierce struggle 
with a half-score of jackals. 

Our brave guardians had already laid three of them by the heels, but seemed in 
danger of being compelled to give in to numbers had we not come to their succour. 
Fritz and I fired together. Two of our nocturnal visitors fell dead at once : the 
remainder, frightened by the reports of tlie guns, scampered away as fast as their 
legs could carry them. 

Fritz desired to carry the animal which he had killed into the tent with him, in 
order to show it to his brothers in the morning, and I gave him permission to do so. 
We left the other four to the dogs. 

We then returned to the side of our little sleepers, whom neither the barking 
of the dogs nor the firing of the guns had awakened. 

Very soon we were all wrapped in slumber again, and nothing further occurred 
to disturb us during the remainder of the night. 


CHAPTER Y. 

A VOYAGE TO THE WKECK. 

At the first break of dawn I awoke my wife, in order to consult with her again as 
to the employments of the day. 

“ My beloved,” I said, “ I see so many urgent duties before us that I know not 
to which to give the priority. On the one hand it is clear that if we desire to save 
the cattle on the wreck, and to recover the various articles there that will be of use 
to us, it will be necessary to make a voyage thither at once. On the other hand, 
I cannot fail* to see that it is almost equally necessary to set about building a more 
comfortable dwelling-place, for at any moment a storm may overtake us in these 
tropical regions, and then the effect of it will be as disastrous to us on land as it 
will be at sea. I confess that I do not know which we ought to do first — recover all 
we can from the wreck, or make our habitation secure where we are.” 

“ Pray do not weary yourself,” she replied, “ by forecasting events. With 


40 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


patience, order, and perseverance, we shall overcome every obstacle. The courage of 
such a father, and the endurance and obedience of such children as ours, cannot but 
conquer in the end. Under God, I put my entire confidence in those protectors 
with whom in his mercy he has blessed me. Truly it will not be without anxiety 
that I shall see you set out on a voyage to the wreck ; but, if it is indispensable,' 
I trust I have the fortitude to see you make it. I think it is of more importance to 
go thither than to set about building our new habitation at once. What remains on. 
the wreck is perishable. As to our dwelling, a day or two will make no great 
change in our prospects.” 

“ It is well,” I said. “ I shall set out for the wreck with Fritz, leaving you and 
the other children to do what you can on land while we are away.” 



THE JACKAL. 


‘‘Come, come !” I cried, “jump up, jump up ! The sun has already risen, and 
we have no time to lose.” 

Fritz was the first to put in an appearance, and, profiting by the time spent by 
his brothers in rubbing their eyes and shaking off their drowsiness, he placed his 
dead jackal in front of the tent in order to witness the surprise which it would 
cause them. 

He had reckoned without the dogs, who, seeing one of their nocturnal com- 
batants yet remaining, and believing it to be still living, flung themselves upon it, 
bai’king furiously. 

Fritz had the greatest difficulty in driving them away. 

The yelping of the animals, and Fritz’s wild shouting at them, brought the 
young idlers out all the more speedily. ■ ‘ . 



% 





f 


We saw our dogs engaged in a fierce struggle witli a lialf score of jadials.”— 39. 





42 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


They made their appearance one by one, the little monkey perching upon the 
shoulder of James. No sooner did he set eyes upon the jackal, however, than he 
became so frightened that he flew back into the tent, and buried himself so deeply 
in the moss of our beds that nothing could be seen of him but his tiny muzzle. 

As Fritz had expected, his brothers were greatly astonished at the sight of the 
jackal. 

“ A wolf !” cried James. “ There are wolves in the island then !” 

“No,” said Ernest, “ it is a fox.” 

“ It is a yellow dog,” remarked the little Francis. 

“ Ah, ah ! friend Ernest,” said Frifcz ironically, “ you knew an agouti as soon 
as you saw it, but this time your knowledge is at fault. So you take this for a fox, 
do you ?” 

“ I do,” returned Ernest ; “ I believe it is a golden fox.” 

“Ah, ah! ‘A golden fox!’” repeated Fritz, with an irritating burst of 
laughter. 

Poor Ernest, whose self-love was deeply wounded by this horseplay, almost 
burst into tears. 

“ You are treating me very cruelly, Fritz,” he said to his brother. “ It is not 
unlikely that I may be mistaken : there are so many animals of this kind that are 
nearly alike. But come now, would you have known the name of it if papa had 
not told you ?” 

“ Peace ! peace ! my children,” I said ; “ do not tease each other about such a 
matter as this. And, although you have been pleased to make sport of your 
brother, learn this, Fritz — that the jackal is at once a wolf, a fox, and a dog. It is 
now admitted on all hands by naturalists that the dog is a descendant of the jackal. 
And not only was Ernest right in calling the animal a fox, but James was right in 
taking it for a wolf, and Francis in fancying it a dog. They are all of the same 
species, though of difierent varieties.” 

The discussion upon this subject being ended, I reminded my children that we 
had yet to commend ourselves to the care of God for the day ; and we at once had 
prayer. 

Then we took breakfast ; for the youngsters were of that class whose appetites 
awaken with their eyes. 

A case of biscuits was opened, and the barrel of cheese again laid under contri- 
bution. 

All at once, Ernest, who had been prowling about among the barrels which we 
had fished out of the sea, cried out, “ Oh ! papa, would not our biscuit be much nicer 
if we were to eat it with butter 1 ” 

“There you are again with your eternal ‘if,’” I replied. “You are always 
awakening our desires without giving us the means of satisfying them. Are vou 
not content with cheese 1” 


A Voyage to the Wreck. 


43 


“ I did not say I was not,” lie answered ; “ but if some one would break open 
this barrel '* 

“What barrel?” I said. 

“ This one,” he replied. “ I feel certain that it contains butter, for there oozes 
from the joints of it a kind of fatty matter which has exactly the same smell.” 

After having satisfied ourselves that Ernest’s nose had not deceived him, we 
consulted gravely as to the best plan of getting enough butter for our present supply 
without risking the loss of the remainder. 

Fritz was for removing the hoops, and taking out the head of the cask. 

I thought that if this were done it would loosen the staves, and let the butter 
run away when it became melted by the sun. It seemed to me to be wiser to make 
a hole in the side with a chisel, and extract thence with a piece of stick as much 
butter as we wanted. 

This plan being adopted, we soon had some excellent toast, the taste of which 
rendered us doubly desirous of saving the cow from the wreck. 

The dogs, fatigued by their nocturnal combat, slept tranquilly at our feet. 
I remarked that they had not come out of their fight with the jackals scathless, and 
particularly pointed to some ugly wounds upon their necks. 

Thereupon my wife hit upon the happy device of washing the butter till she 
had got all the salt out of it, and anointing their wounds with what remained. The 
dogs patiently submitted to this dressing of their sores, and afterwards began to lick 
each other — a proceeding which gave me hope that they would soon be cured. 

“ It is important,” said Fritz, “ that they should be furnished for similar occa- 
sions with spiked collars.” 

“Yes,” said James, “and if mamma will help me I will undertake to make 
them some during the day.” 

“ With all my heart,” said his mother ; “ I will do everything I can to help 
you, and we shall see how you succeed.” 

“ Yes, my boy,” I added in my turn, “ use all your ingenuity, and if you can 
only hit upon a practicable plan of carrying out your design, we will all do our 
best to cany it into execution.” 

“ As to you, Fritz,” I continued, “ prepare yourself to accompany me on a 
voyage which I propose making to the wreck. Your mother and I have decided 
this morning that we shall do so ; and, as was the case yesterday, she will remain 
here with the other children while we go to endeavour to save the cattle, and what- 
ever else is likely to be of use to us.” 

Our tub-boat was soon got ready. As we were setting out, we arranged with 
my wife that she should set up on the shore a pole with a piece of white rag tied to 
it, as a sort of signal to us when we were upon the wreck. In case of distress she 
was to pull it down and to fire a gun three times in succession. I then induced her 
—so courageous had she become — to consent to our remaining on board the wreck 


44 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


for a night, in case we should not be able to get everything ready for an earlier 
departure. In that case we agreed to burn lights to show that all was well. 

Knowing that there were provisions still left in the vessel, we took only our 
arms. 1 permitted Fritz to take his monkey, to whom he promised a rare feast of 
goat’s-milk. 

"We at length put off, after having embraced and commended each other to the 
Divine keeping. 

Fritz rowed vigorously, and I did my best to assist him while steering the craft 
with an oar thrust out from the stern. 

When we had got some distance, I noticed that a river, much larger and more 
rapid than that upon which we had pitched our tent, emptied itself into the bay ; 
and I conjectured that in doing so it would form a current which, if we once got 
into it, would help us on our journey. We pulled in the direction of this current, 
which, as I had anticipated, carried us, without any further effort of our own, over 
more than three parts of our voyage. A few stout pulls with our oars brought us to 
our destination. 

We boarded the vessel and moored our boat securely to its side. 

Fritz’s first thought was to run to the animals, which, as soon as they heard us 
aboard, began lowing and bleating piteously. The poor creatures displayed the 
liveliest satisfaction at seeing us again, and ate up the fresh provender and water 
that we gave them with avidity. Having fed our dumb companions, we next made 
an excellent repast ourselves : we had no difficulty in procuring it, for the ship had 
been provisioned for a long voyage. 

The ingenious Fritz then tried an experiment which succeeded to admiration. 
He introduced his monkey to the goat, who thereupon gave him suck as if he 
.had been her own offspring. It is needless to say that Hip made a hearty and 
lelicious meal. 

“ How, Fritz,” said I, “ what will it be best to do first ? ” 

“ I think,” he said, “ that before proceeding further we ought to set up a sail in 
our boat.” 

It did not seem to me on the first blush of the thing that this was a very urgent 
matter ; but Fritz pointed out to me that, during our voyage across, he had noticed 
a strong head wind, against which we should have had to struggle stoutly, had it not 
been for the river current ; and he said he thought he knew enough about sailing to 
be able to utilise this wind on the return voyage. He also mentioned that he 
thought we should have a good deal of difficulty in getting back, in any case, with all 
our tubs loaded and only two oarsmen, one of whom was partly engaged in steering. 

This reasoning appeared to me to be so sensible that I gave in to it at once. 

I sought out a piece of broken yard large enough to serve as a mast, and a 
slighter piece to which to fix our sail. Fritz meanwhile nailed a thick plank across 
one of the tubs and bored a large hole in it. Tlu’ough this hole we thrust our mast, 


A VorAOE TO THE Wreck. 


45 



SHOOTING THE SHARK.— j(?. 43 . 


and then attached pulleys to our sail in such a manner that I could easily manoeuvre 
it and steer the boat at the sam.e time. 

To finish with, Fritz — who, as was natural at his age, was given to mingle amuse- 
ment and work together — tied to the top of the mast a long pennon of red bunting, 
and watched it float out in the wind with childish delight. 

While smiling at his innocent diversion, I directed towards the bay whence 
we set out the large telescope which I had formerly seen on the captain’s table, 
but had forgotten to carry away with me. I saw with joy that my wife and my 
little ones were peacefully engaged in various occupations, without a suspicion that 
I was a silent observer of all they were doing. 

It was now growing late, and it became clear that it would be of no use to 
attempt to reach land again that night. So we spent the remainder of the day in 
pillaging the wrecked vessel, as if we had been pirates, and in filling our tubs with 
whatever was likely to prove of use to us. 

In anticipation of a lengthy sojourn in the uninhabited country in which we 
had taken our refuge, I gave the preference to tools which would aid us in our 
labours to sustain life, and to arms which would protect us if attacked. 

The vessel, as it so happened, was an emigrant ship, whose destination was the 
Southern Seas — among the islands of which we and our fellow-y)assengers had in- 


46 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


tended to settle as colonists. She was therefore well stocked with provisions and 
utensils, of a kind which would not have been found had she been bound upon an 
ordinary voyage; so we had free choice among a multitude of objects suitable for 
the isolated life that loomed before us in the future. 

I selected a large assortment of saucepans, plates, dishes, basins, knives, forks, 
and other domestic utensils, while Fritz took possession of a service of plate which 
he found in the captain’s cabin, and some bottles of wine and spirits, to which I 
‘added a few Westphalia hams. These luxurious provisions, however, did not lead 
us to contemn certain sacks of wheat and maize and other grain. Also I took 
possession of a compass, and some spades and other garden implements, together 
with a further supply of guns, pistols, and ammunition. Furthermore we supplied 
ourselves with hammocks, bed-clothes, cord and twine of all kinds, and sail-cloth ; 
and even took care to place among our cargo a little keg of sulphur with which to 
renew our supply of matches, when those we had were all used up in lighting our 
daily fire. 

I then declared our cargo complete ; when Fritz arrived with a last package. 

“ Leave that,” I said, ‘‘my dear boy. We have no room for anything so large 
and apparently so heavy as what you have there.” 

“ Oh ! do let us take it,” he said ; “ it is the captain’s library, containing books 
of science and natural history, together with accounts of travels, and a Bible. Ernest 
and my mother will be so jDleased with them !” 

“ My dear boy,” I replied, “ you are very thoughtful. Food for the mind is as 
essential as food for the body, and I heartily consent to do as you desire. Your last 
discovery will be a treasure to all of us.” 

Our boat was now so heavily laden that it sunk almost to the water’s edge, and 
had not the sea been perfectly Calm, I should have lightened it. As it was, I merely 
took the precaution to preserve our swimming floats, in case it should founder in the 
night and leave us helpless. 

Night fell suddenly. A large fire which we perceived upon the distant coast, 
assured us that nothing untoward had overtaken our beloved ones on land. And, 
by way of reply to this good news, I hung out three lighted lanterns upon the side 
of the wreck. Immediately the report of a gun gave us notice that our signal had 
been seen. 

Our preparations were soon made to pass the night in our tub-boat. I did not 
think it safe to sleep on board the wreck, for it was so placed that the least gust of 
wind might overturn it, and in that case we should be in serious danger of not 
seeing land again. 

In spite of the discomfort of his berth, Fritz was not long in falling sound 
asleep. As for me, I could not close my eyes for an instant. I was full of anxiety 
for the safety of those whom we had left on shore, and, at the same time, desirous of 
being ready for any emergency that might arise where we were. 


A Voyage to the Wreck. 


47 


No sooner did day begin to break, than I mounted the deck of the vessel and 
directed my telescope towards the shore. I saw my wife come out of the tent and 
look anxiously towards us. I immediately ran a strip of white cloth up the mast ; 
and my wife thereupon lowered and raised her flag three times, to show that she had 
understood my signal. 

“ Heaven be praised ! ” I ejaculated, “ they are all safe and well. Now let us 
see what can be done to get the cattle to land.” 

“ Suppose we were to construct a raft 1 ” said Fritz. 

I pointed out to him, not only the difliculty of making such a contrivance, but 
the far greater difficulty — if not impossibility — of steering it when it was njade. 

“Very well, then,” he replied, “let us push them into the sea. I should think 
they would be able to swim to land. The pig, at all events, with its fat sides can be 
in no possible danger of drowning.” 

“ Perhaps not,” I said, “ but what about the donkey, the cow,'^ the goat, and 
the sheep : will they accomplish the journey so easily ? For I must tell you 
candidly that I would willingly sacrifice the pig, if we could thereby save the other 
animals.” * 

“ I have got it, papa !” cried Fritz joyously. “ Let us furnish them with the 
swimming floats which we made for ourselves. It will be splendid to see animals 
swimming in attire of that kind ! ” 

“ Bravo, my noble Fritz!” I exclaimed; “your idea, however droll it may be, 
seems to be quite practicable. To work, boy ! to work ! Let us make the attempt 
at all events.” 

Thereupon we took a sheep, and having fastened the floats to it, one on each 
side, pushed it into the sea. 

At first the poor beast, frightened out of its wits, disappeared beneath the 
waves. But it soon rose struggling to the surface ; and at length, feeling the support 
which it derived from the swimming-belt, it floated patient and immovable, 
had no longer any doubt that it could swim excellently. 

Thus satisfied that we had hit upon the right plan of saving our cattle, we set 
to work vigorously. 

Every piece of cork we could find anywhere was laid under contribution for 
the smaller animals ; and for the larger ones — the cow and the donkey — we prepared 
empty barrels, which we tied to their sides with cords and strips of cloth. 

When all our animals were harnessed, I tied to the horns or the neck of each of 
them a strong cord to lead them by when we got aboard our boat. 

This done, we got them all int® the water without much difficulty. The ass 
alone, after the manner of his kind, was recalcitrant, so we pushed him in backwards. 
At first he struggled a good deal, but after a time he resigned himself to the 
necessities of the case, and began to swim with so good a grace that we could not 
refrain from applauding his superior skill. 


48 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


As soon as we had entered our boat I unmoored her, and the breeze filling our 
sail, we found ourselves drifting rapidly and easily landwards. 

Fritz, supremely happy in the result of our expedition, alternately fondled his 
monkey, and looked proudly up to the red streamer which unfurled itself gaily to 
the wind. For my own part, I followed with eye and heart the movements of my 
well-beloved ones on land, who, I saw by the aid of my telescope, were hastening 
down to the beach to meet us. 

All at once Fritz cried out, ‘‘ Father ! father ! There is an enormous fish 
coming towards us ! ” 

“ To arms ! ’^ I said, ‘‘ and attention ! ” 

Our guns were already charged and we stood ready to fire. The creature of 
which Fritz had just signalled the approach was neither more nor less than a shark 
of the very largest kind. 

“ Let us fire together,” said I, “ at the moment when the monster, who swims 
on the surface, opens his jaws to seize that sheep towards which he is making so swiftly.” 

Our guns went off together, and the shark disappeared. 

An instant afterwards we saw, shining upon the surface, the brilliant scales of 
his belly ; and a long trail of blood showed us that we were rid for ever of the 
terrible corsair. 

I ordered Fritz to re-charge his gun, and did the same myself, lest the shark, as 
its custom is, should not be alone. Happily my fears were ill-founded. 

Without meeting with any further adventure, we at length reached the shore. 

My wife and the three boys awaited us. Tliey seized the cable that I threw 
them to make fast the boat. The animals, who came to land without assistance, 
were soon relieved of their floats. The donkey capered about the sand joyously, 
and translated the pleasure he felt at once more touching the solid earth into a pro- 
longed and not over-musical “he- haw !” 

As soon as we had embraced, and congratulated each other upon meeting again 
in health and safety after so long and perilous a separation, we went and seated our- 
selves upon the grass by the side of the stream, where I gave an account of all that 
had befallen us during our absence. I did not refrain from giving Fritz the high 
praise he merited for the assistance he had rendered me in our difficult and 
dangerous task. 


CHAPTER YI. 

WHAT PASSED ON LAND DURING OUR ABSENCE. 

Fritz’s invention for transporting the cattle excited general admiration, though 
little Francis marvelled most at seeing the sail and the bright red pennon. 

“ The flag is the prettiest of all,” he said. I like it better than either the 
saucepans, or the sheep, or the pig, or even the cow.” 


What Passed on Land during our Absence. 49 



JAMES AND THE DONKEY, 


“ My thoughtless little one,” said his mother tenderly, “ you will change your 
mind greatly wlien I give you a cocoa-bowl full of fresh milk for your breakfast 
every morning.” 

We were then required to recount, down to the smallest details, how we had 
conducted our expedition. 

Curiosity satisfied on this point, we proceeded to unload our tubs. 

James soon gave up this drudgery, and went ofif among the cattle, where, 
jumping upon the back of the donkey, which had not yet been disembarrassed of its 
barrels, he rode back towards us with a ludicrous air of mock-majesty. We had all 
the trouble in the world to remain serious in the face of so droll a spectacle. But 
what was our astonishment , to see our young cavalier wearing a hairy belt, into 
which he had thrust a pair of pistols ! 

“ Where did you pick up that brigand’s costume V’ asked I. 

“ It is all of our own making,” he replied, “ and so are those,” pointing to the 
necks of the two dogs, each of which was furnished with a leather collar bristling 
with the spikes of nails. ‘‘ I think they will be able to defend themselves now,” he 
added, with an air of supreme satisfaction. 

“ Bravo, my son !*' I cried ; but are these your own invention ?” 


4 


5G 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“ Mamma helped me,” he replied, “ in all the sewing that had to be done.” 

“But where did you get the leather, the needles, and the thread ?” I asked of 
my wife. 

“ Fritz’s jackal furnished us with the leather,” said James. 

“ And as to the rest,” added my wife, smiling, “ a woman of management is 
always well provided with needles and thread.” 

I saw that Fritz was not very well satisfied that his jackal should have been 
thus appropriated without his permission. It is true he concealed his ill-humour as 
well as he was able, but on coming near James he held his nose, and cried out, 
“Pah ! what an abominable smell !” 

“ Yes,” replied James imperturbably, “it is my belt. It will be all right when 
it gets dry.” 

“ Let James remain to the windward,” said I, sailor fashion, “ and then he will 
not annoy us.” 

“Ah! ah!” said the children, laughing, “to the windward, James! to the 
windward !” 

As to the merry James himself, he was not in the least troubled by the odour 
of his belt, but strutted about, handling his pistols like a buccaneer. 

His brothers hastened to throw the offensive remains of the jackal into the sea. 

Seeing that it was nearly supper- time, I told Fritz to go and fetch one of the 
Westphalia hams out of the tubs. 

He was not long in returning. 

“ Oh, a ham ! a ham ready to eat !” cried the youngsters, clapping their hands. 

“ Moderate yourselves, my children,” said my wife, “ for if you only had this 
ham, which is not yet cooked, for supper, you would fast a long timd, I am thinking. 
But I have here some turtles’-eggs,! with which I will make an omelette in the 
frying-pan which papa and Fritz have been thoughtful enough to bring away from 
the wreck — a nice, savoury omelette, in which butter shall not be wanting.” 

“ The eggs of the turtle,” said Ernest, always desirous of displaying his know- 
ledge, “ are easily distinguished by their roundness, by their membraneous shells, 
which are like wetted parchment, and also by tbe fact that the turtle alone deposits 
its eggs in the sands by the sea-shore.” 

“ How did you find them ?” asked I. 

“ That,” said my wife, “ belongs to a little history which we have to tell you. 
But before beginning it, I think it will be best to see to the cooking, unless you 
would like to go to bed supperless.” 

“You are right,” I said ; “make an omelette, and reserve your story for the 
repast. It will form an agreeable side-dish. In the meantime I and' the children 
will stow our cargo in a safe place, and rack-up the beasts for the night.” 

With these words I got up, and the boys followed me to the beach. By tli^'. 
time my wife invited us to do honour to her supper we had finished. 


What Passed on Land during our Absence. 


51 


Nothing was wanting to a good meal — omelette, cheese, biscuit, all were found 
excellent ; and a table for the first time decently laid out added not a little to the 
agreeableness of the repast. 

Francis alone, faithful to his calabash service, declined even to return to silver- 
plate. 

“It is far nicer,” he said, “to eat out of playthings than out of real dishes.” 

The dogs, the chickens, the goats, and the sheep formed a circle of interested 
spectators around us. As to the ducks and geese, I did not trouble myself about 
feeding them, knowing that the marshy ground at the mouth of the stream would 
furnish them with abundance of worms and small crabs — to which latter they had 
already shown themselves partial. 

Supper ended, I told Fritz to bring us a bottle of the excellent wine which he 
had found in the captain’s cabin, and begged my wife to take a glass to fortify 
her for her narrative. 

“ It seems, then,” she said laughingly, “ that it has at last come to my turn to 
recount my noble deeds. As to the first day, I have nothing to tell — anxiety for 
3"our safety kept me upon the beach all day, and I had not the courage to undertake 
a single duty away from thence. I was not a little thankful, I can assure’ you, when 
I saw that you reached the wreck without impediment. 

“We passed the day, then, in the neighbourhood of the tent ; and I confined 
myself to thinking out a project whereby, on the morrow, we might seek out some 
spot more comfortable for a dwelling-place than this inhospitable shore. We are 
here exposed to the full heat of the sun by day, and the full rigour of the cold by 
night. I thought of the wood you and Fritz had passed through on the previous 
day, and determined to go thither and explore it. 

“ This morning, while I was again thinking over my project — without having 
said anything to the children, who had but just got up — James took Fritz’s jackal, 
and cut out from the skin of the animal two large strips, which he deprived of the 
hair and cleaned as well as he was able. 

“He then obtained some long nails, which he drove through one of the strips, 
and cut out a piece of sail-cloth with which to line it. This done, he brought his work 
to me, and asked me to sew the cloth to the leather in such a manner that it would 
at once keep in the nails and cover them. In spite of the disagreeable odour of the 
skin, I did as he desired, and, cutting the strap in two, he put one-half round each 
of the dogs’ necks, as you see. He then desired me to line the other strap, in order 
that he might wear it as a belt ; but I pointed out to him that as this strap was not 
dry yet, it would shrink and render our labour useless. 

“ Ernest laughingly advised him to stretch the strap on a board, and carry it 
about in the sun to dry, which he proceeded very gravely to do, without perceiving 
the joke. 

“ I then communicated to the boys my plans for the day, and they fell in with 


52 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


them joyfully. In a twinkling they were furnished forth with arms and provisions. 
I took a can of water and an axe. Escorted by the dogs, we set out for the banks 
of the stream. 

“ Turk, who remembered well enough the way he had travelled with you, was 
evidently impressed with the responsibilities of his position. He preceded us with 
an air of superior knowledge, and was continually looking behind to assure himself 
that we were following in the right track. 

‘‘ Ernest and James marched resolutely behind Turk, proud of carrying arms 
for the first time in their lives. They also were impressed with their importance, 
for I had hinted to them that upon their courage and address depended tlie security 
of the whole party. And I cannot but confess that, in the circumstances in which 
we found ourselves, I appreciated, for the first time, your wisdom in teaching them 
the use of arms, and the necessity of confronting every kind of danger bravely. 



CROSSING THE STREAM. 


“We found it by no means an easy task to cross the stream, the stepping-stones 
were so wet and slippery. Ernest crossed first without accident. Jam^s held my 
bottle and axe, and I took Francis upon my back. The little fellow clasped his arms 
round my neck, and clung to me with all his strength ; and with some difficulty and 
danger we at length got safely over. 

“ On reaching the other side, and ascending the height whence you saw the 
splendid prospect that you described to us with so much enthusiasm, my heart, for 
the first time since our shipwreck, gave way to the influence of pleasure and hope. 

“ We soon descended into a dale overshadowed with foliage and carpeted with 
greensward. 

“ A small wood lay in front of us ; but in order to get there, we had to pass 
through a large field of grass, so tall and entangled that it both concealed the 
children and impeded our movements. James, however, found a place where the 
grass was trodden down ; and we concluded that we were then in the track which 
you had made and followed on the previous day. Guided by your footsteps, we, 
after several times losing one or two of the children in the grass, came out at the 
entrance to the wood. 


53 


What Passed on Land during our Absence. 



THK CKEAT BUSTARD. 


“ All at once wc liearJ a great rustling among the leaves, and immediately saw 
a huge bird rise off the ground in front of us, and fly swiftly skywards. 

“Each of my little men brought his gun to his shoulder; but the bird was 
beyond reach before they could take aim at him. 

“‘What a pity,’ said Ernest, rather irritably, ‘that I had not got my own little 
gun with me ! Even as it was I should have brought down my bird if he had not 
flown away so swiftly.’ 



54 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


“‘No doubt,’ I replied, ‘you would be an excellent sportsman if the game were 
to give you a quarter of an hour’s notice of its intention to fly away.’ 

“‘But how was I to tell that a bird was going to rise in front of me V he asked. 

“‘It is,’ I replied, ‘just such surprises as these that make shooting difficult. In 
order to succeed in sport, it is not only necessary to be a good marksman, but you 
must also possess great presence of mind.’ 

“‘What could this bird have been V asked James. 

“ ‘ An eagle, of course,’ replied Francis. ‘ It had immensely large wings.’ 

“ ‘ That proves nothing,’ said Ernest j ‘ all birds with large wings are not eagles.’ 

“ ‘ I have no doubt,’ I interposed, ‘ that it was sitting upon its nest when we 
disturbed it. Let us look about, and if we find this nest, we shall then be better 
able to tell what the bird was.’ 

“James, the madcap, dashed instantly towards the place where the bird had 
risen, and another bird, exactly like the first, flew out and away, striking the little 
fellow in the face with its huge wing as it went. 

“James stood wonder-stricken, and, I think, very much terrified. 

“ Ernest, not Jess astonished, made no attempt even to raise his gun towards 
the bird. 

“‘You are pretty sportsmen, truly, said I. ‘Is it possible that you could profit 
so little by what I have been saying to you 1 It is clear that you badly need some 
more lessons in shooting from your father.’ 

“ Ernest was annoyed. 

“James took off his hat, and, making a comic salute 'to the fugitive — who by 
this tinae was but a dot in the blue sky — ‘ Farewell for the present, Mr. Bird,’ said 
he ; ‘ another time will do as well for me. I am your humble and devoted servant 
always.’ , 

“ Ernest soon found the nest we were looking for. It was very rudely con- 
structed, and contained nothing but a few broken egg-shells ; from which latter 
circumstance we concluded that a nest of young ones had not long since occupied it. 

“‘These birds cannot be eagles,’ said Ernest, ‘for the young of eagles cannot 
run so soon after they are born as these birds seem to have done. The contrary is 
the case with ordinary farm-yard hens, guinea-fowls, and other winged creatures of 
the same family. I am led to assume, then, that the birds whose nest we have just 
found are bustards ; for, besides the little matter which I have just mentioned as indi- 
cating the family to Avhich they belong, you have seen yourself that their plumage 
underneath is of a tawny- white colour, while above it is black, streaked here and 
there with red. I noticed too that the one which flew off last had long, thin feathers 
growing out of his beak like a moustache, which is the characteristic sign of the 
male.’ 

' * & 

“‘Instead of making this very minute examination of the birds,’ said I to our 
young savant, who held his head perceptibly higher after this display of erudition. 


What Passed on Land during our Absence. 


55 


‘ you would have done better to take sure aim. You would then have run a chance 
of making still more satisfactory observations at your leisure. But, after all," I 
added, ‘ it was perhaps better to leave the poor things alive to take care of their 
little ones.’ 

“ While chatting in tliis wise we entered the wood. The trees were filled with 
strange birds, who sang to us a concert of the most varied music. 

“ The youngsters, profiting by their last lesson, were preparing to fire ; but I 
pointed out to them that the prodigious height of the trees upon which the gay 
singers were perched rendered any attempt at shooting useless. 

“ The form and the extraordinary girth of these gigantic trees struck us with 
astonishment. Their enormous trunks did not grow out of the ground like those of 
other trees, but were supported by powerful roots, which, lying exposed to the open 
air, rose into a kind of groined dome immediately under the tree, and thence ran 
out in all directions, dipping into the soil only here and there, and at a distance from 
the tree. James clambered up one of these roots, and measured the trunk with a 
piece of string. Ernest calculated that the girth of the tree could not be less than 
forty feet, while the height of the picturesque vault formed by some sixty of the- 
roots, between the ground and the base of the trunk, was about eighty feet. 

“ Nothing had ever struck me with greater admiration than the sight of this 
splendid vegetation. Ten or twelve trees alone formed that which we had hitherto 
supposed to be a wood. Their branches thrust themselves out to an incredible 
distance, and their foliage, which in shape reminded me of that of our own walnu^;- 
tree in Europe, threw a delicious shadow over a large extent of ground. Beneath, 
the earth was carpeted with a rich velyety greensward, which invited us to repose. 

“We sat down. The provision-bags were opened. A stream which murmured 
along its pebbly course furnished us with clear spring-water, and the multitude of 
birds that sang over our heads gave to our repast the air of a festival. None of us 
lacked appetite. 

“ Our dogs, who had left us some time before, now returned. To our great 
surprise they did not show any sign of wanting food, but lay down tranquilly upon 
the grass and went to sleep. We concluded that they had been lucky enough to find 
a meal elsewhere. 

“The place where we were seemed to me so excellently situated, that I 
did not think it worth while to seek further for a site for our future dwelling- 
place. 

“ I thereupon determined to return by the way we had come, and go down to 
the beach to try to collect whatever waifs from the wreck might have been cast up 
there by the wind and waves. 

“ James implored me, before setting out, to sew in the lining of his belt, which 
he had not ceased for an instant to carry in the sun as his brother had recommended, 
and which was now quite dry and fit for use. 


The Swiss Family Eobinsoh. 


5C 



**Tlie place where we were seemed to me so excellently situated, that I did not think it worth while to seek 
further for a site for our future dwelling-place.”— i). 55. 

“ This done, he fastened the belt round his waist, stuck his pistols into it, and, 
looking as pleased as possible, strutted off to lead the way back and be the first to 
exhibit himself to you, in case you should have landed before our return. So 
anxious was he to get here, that we were obliged to hasten our steps in order that 
we might not lose sight of him. 



BUILDING THE BEIDGE.— p. <34. 





68 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


“ On the beach I found but few things to cany away, for most of the objects 
that we could reach were too heavy for our poor powers. While we were there, 
however, I noticed that the dogs were bounding along the edge of the water, and 
every now and then drawing out with their paws small crabs, which they devoured 
with relish. 

‘“See, my boys,’ I cried, ‘what a teacher hunger is ! We need trouble ourselves 
no more about finding food for our dogs, nor be afraid of their eating us, since the 
sea afibrds them nourishment so abundant.’ 

“‘The dogs eat usT cried James, drawing his pistols fiercely from his belt. 

‘ They had better not make the attempt ! Let them come on : I am ready for 
them!’ 

“‘Droll little braggart !’ I said, embracing him, ‘what could your pistols avail 
against a couple of powerful dogs like those ? Before you could fire off a single 
charge, they would gobble you up,’ 

“‘Fan and Turk are much too good to think of eating us,’ said little Francis ; 
‘and it is very naughty of James to think of shooting them. Take away those 
dreadful pistols, mamma, or he will do some mischief with them.’ 

“‘There, there !’ said James, embracing his brother, ‘don’t be troubled. I have 
no more wish than you have to do harm to our good dogs, I only said what I did 
in fun.’ 

“ On quitting the beach we saw Fan scratch up the sand, and rake out a white- 
looking ball, which she swallowed greedily. 

“‘What if that were a turtle’s egg?’ cried Ernest. 

“‘Turtles’ eggs 1’ said Francis. ‘Are turtles fowls, then V 

“ You may judge of the amusement which this question caused to James and 
Ernest. 

“When their merriment had subsided, ‘Let us profit by Fan’s discovery,’ said 
I ; ‘ for I have heard say that these eggs are very nice to eat.’ 

“‘They are indeed,’ said Ernest, who was already rejoicing in thoughts that 
savoured of choice dishes. 

“ It was not without some difficulty that we drove Fan away from a repast 
which she found so much to her taste. Although she had already disposed of 
several eggs, there still remained about a score, which we carefully put away in our 
provision-bags. 

“ Then on looking out to sea, we caught sight of the sail of your boat. Francis 
feared that it might be a band of savages who were coming to kill us; but 
Ernest said he felt sure it was your vessel. And he was right; for a few 
minutes afterwards you came to land, and we were once more able to embrace 
each other. 

“ Such, my love, are our adventures. I sought a new dwelling-place — I have 
found one ; and I am so delighted with it that, if you agree, we will set out to- 


Projects for Migration. 


69 


morrow and establish our home beneath those magnificent trees. The view from 
is superb, and the place itself is exquisite.” 

“What!” said I jestingly, “trees, good wife! Is that all that you have dis- 
covered towards a secure dwelling-place for us ? I can quite understand, if they are 
as large as you say, that we could find a refuge in their branches in the night-time. 
But in order to get there we should require either wings or a balloon, which are not 
easy things to make or to manage.” 

“ Ah !” said she, “you may laugh ; but I am sure we could build an excellent 
cabin upon the branches of these trees, which could be reached easily enough by 
some wooden stairs. One often sees the same thing in Europe. Do you not 
remember, for instance, the linden in our own country, which has a cabin in its 
branches, and which for that reason is called ‘ Robinson’s tree V ” 

“ All in good time,” said I. “ We can think over this difficult matter later on.” 

But night had already fallen : our conversation had caused us to forget the 
hour of repose. We offered up our nightly prayer, and at once retired to rest, in 
order that we might rise with the first beams of the morning sun. 


CHAPTER VII. 

PROJECTS FOR MIGRATION. THE DEAD SHARK. — THE BRIDGE. 

“ Last night,” I said to my wife when we awoke in the morning, “ I considered 
'your project for migration seriously, and I have come to the conclusion that we 
ought not to change the place of our dwelling too hastily. Eirst of all, why should 
we" abandon the spot to which Providence has led us, and which is so admirably 
suited to our ^lefenceless condition ? On the one side we are protected by the sea, on 
the other by the rocks, wfith whose boulders, if need were to arise, we could fortify 
the bank of the stream. Moreover, we are now not far from the wreck, which is 
still stored with most valuable articles j and these, if we remove elsewhere, we must 
give up all hope of recovering.” 

“Your reasons are good, without doubt,” replied my wife ; “but you do not 
know how intolerable it is to live on this unprotected shore, when the sun during 
the whole day darts his fierce rays down upon our heads. When you have been 
travelling about with Eritz, you have taken shelter in cool woods which furnished 
you with delicious fruits. Here we have no other asylum but the tent, the heat of 
which is so suffocating in the day-time that I am in the greatest anxiety for the 
children’s health. Besides which, we find nothing to eat but mussels and oysters, 
which are a kind of food very little to our taste. As to the eulogium which you have 
been pleased to pass upon the security of our retreat, it does not seem to me to be 
wholly justified by the facts. The jackals managed to pay us a visit without the 


CO 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


least difficulty, and we are by no means certain that lions and tigers may not do the 
same if they should be so minded. The treasures still on board the wreck are not 
to be contemned, I admit ; but I would willingly renounce them all to be spared 
the anxiety Avhich your voyages to secure them occasion me.” 

“Good !” said I, “embracing my Avife, “you defend your opinion so ably that 
I feel constrained to give way to you — not, however, without making one small 
restriction. I think I know a way of bringing your ideas into agreement with my 
own. We will go and take up our habitation in the Avood, as you desire; but we 
Avill still keep a storehouse of provisions, here, and turn the place into a kind of 
fortress to Avhich we can retire in case of attack. We will also leave our powder 
among the rocks ; for Avhile it is of great use to us, it may prove a dangerous neigh- 
bour. This plan adopted, it Avill be necessary, first of all, to throAV a bridge over 
the stream, in order to render our remoA^al and our daily journeys between the two 
places the more easy of accomplishment.” ' 

“My love !” cried my wife, “ Avhatever are you thinking of? The construction 
of a bridge Avill be a long labour and a painful one. Why could we not employ the 
ass and the coav to carry our goods over?” 

I assured her that she exaggerated the importance of the work, and the obstacles 
Avhich Avould hav’e to be overcome in performing it. 

“ In that case,” she replied, “ begin, or rather let us all begin, to put your 
design into execution Avithout delay, for I have the greatest desire to remove from 
this j^lace as speedily as possible.” 

Thus Avas opened the question of our change of residence. The children, whom 
we now aAvakened, and to Avhom Av^e imparted our project, received the news of it 
with enthusiasm. They at once christened the little Avood “ The Promised Land.” 

They Avere equally desirous, all of them, that we should lose no time in 
constructing the bridge ; but I did not pay much attention to their impatience. It 
is in the nature of children to wish to see everything done at once. 

Morning prayer offered, each taxed his ingenuity to make the best breakfast he 
could. Pritz did not forget his little monkey, which he placed alongside its nurse, 
the goat. The example appeared so excellent to James that, after attempting in 
vain to milk the coav in his hat, he applied himself to her udder, Avhence she peace* 
fully allowed him to draw a good breakfast. 

“Francis!” cried he, taking a long breath; “Francis, come here I Here is 
excellent milk, all ready warmed !” 

His brothers, seeing him in this ludicrous position, made all kinds of fun of him. 
They even called him “the little calf;” and the name clung to him for some time. 

His mother reproved him for his greediness ; and, to show him that there wa& 
no need for his adopting a proceeding so summary, commenced milking the coAy very 
cleverly. All the children crowded round the active housewife, Avho first filled the 
cups Avhich each of them in turn presented to her, and then drew a large bowlful, 


Projects for iltGRAiiOE. 


61 



THE DEAD SHARK— 62 . 


which she placed on the fire in order to obtain an appetising dish of hot milk and 
biscuits. 

Meanwhile I got the tub-boat ready to go to the wreck for such pieces of 
carpentry and timber as would be useful to us in the construction of our bridge. 
Feeling that I should have need of an extra assistant, I determined to take Ernest 
as well as Fritz. 

We soon put to sea, and by making good use of our oars were not long in 
getting into the current of the stream, which had already aided us so materially 
in our previous voyage. As we were passing close by an island situated at the 
entrance to the bay, we saw a cloud of sea-mews, albatrosses, and other birds 
wheeling their flight in ever-returning circles upon the shore, and uttering cries so 
piercing that we were tempted to close our ears, 

Fritz had a great desire to fire upon the feathery flock, but I forbad him. 

So numerous an assemblage of sea-birds, it appeared to me, could only be attri- 
buted to some extraordinary cause, and I desired to ascertain what it was. I hoisted 
the sail, which became inflated at once, and a fresh breeze carried us towards the 
island. 

Ernest was charmed. Our pennon floating coquettishly upon the mast, the 
easy motion of the boat, and the smiling aspect of the island, threw him into 
transports of joy. 

Fritz did not once take his eyes off the point where the birds seemed to be 
gathered together in the largest number. 


62 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“ I see wliat it is now,” he cried all at once. “ They are engaged in dismem- 
bering some sea-monster, and are feasting joyously without giving us the courtesy of 
an invitation.” 

He was not mistaken. Having landed, we fastened our boat securely to the 
rocks, and were then able to examine everything at our leisure without being noticed 
by the birds, who were busily engaged in dispatching an enormous dead fish. So 
eager indeed were they in the work of devouring their quarry, that our still-nearer 
approach did not put them to flight. 

Fritz wondered where the dead monster could have come from, seeing that we 
had not noticed it there on the previous evening. 

‘‘Why,” said Ernest, “is it not the shark which you killed yesterday?” 

“ Ho doubt about it,” I replied, “ Ernest is right. It is our pirate. Look at 
his terrible jaw, and at his skin — so rough that it will polish iron and file wood. 
It is not one of the least of the species either, for it will measure, I should judge, 
fifteen feet in length. Heaven be thanked once more that we were delivered from 
so redoubtable an enemy ! We will leave these gulls to feast upon the flesh of our 
shark ; but I think it would be as well to carry away a few strips of his skin : it 
may prove useful to us.” 

Ernest drew the iron ramrod from his gun and advanced upon the birds, beating 
them to right and left. He struck some of them down ; the others flew away. 
Fritz was then able to cut several large strips of skin from the flanks of the animal, 
and we returned to our boat. 

As we were about to put out to sea again to go the wreck, I saw, some distance 
along the shore of the island, a large number of beams and planks that had been 
cast up by the tide. There was, therefore, no need to continue our voyage, for we 
found close at hand all the materials that were necessary to our projected 
construction. 

I chose from among the mass whatever would suit our purjDOse best, and, 
fastening the pieces together after the fashion of a raft, tied them with a long rope 
to the stern of the boat, and put about to return to the point whence we had set 
out. The wind being favourable, there was no need for rowing. All I had to do 
was to steer. 

Fritz nailed the pieces of shark’s-skin to the mast in order to dry them. 

Ernest made a searching examination of the sea-mews which he had 
killed. 

He failed not to address to me many questions upon the nature of these birds, 
and I answered him as well as I was able. Then he desired to know to what use I 
intended to put the strips of shark’s-skin. I told him that I proposed to make 
rasps of them ; and I added that in Europe it wa,s generally dressed in such a 
manner as to make “ shagreen.” 

The voyage was finished. On landing, Ave were surprised to find none of the 


Projects for Migration. 


63 


family awaiting us ; but no sooner had we shouted for them than they came running 
towards us. 

Francis had a fishing-net slung over his shoulder, and James carried a carefully- 
tied handkerchief dangling from his hand. When he had come up to us he opened 
a corner of it and showed us a large number of fine crabs. 

It was I, father — it was I who found them,” cried Francis proudly. 

“ Yes,” replied James, “ but it was I who caught them. I went into the water 
uj) to my knees and took them while they were dining, as they supposed, in security 
off the remains of Fritz’s jackal. I should have taken a great many more if I had 
not been called away so soon.” 

“ We have already more than we shall need,” said ‘I ; “and I am thinking that 
it would be as well to throw the least of them into the water again, in order that 
they may grow larger.” 

“ISTo need to do that,” replied the careless boy; “they are to be found by 
millions : the stream is full of them.” 

“ It does not matter how many there are,” I said. “ It is necessary to use the 
gifts God has given us with economy. If we destroy the young we cannot expect 
in the future to be provided with the old or the young either.” 

Upon that James hastened towards the banks of the stream, begging me to go 
with him. He was desirous of showing me, he said, that he had been gravely con- 
sidering the question of building the bridge. 

I asked him to explain himself a little more clearly. 

Thereupon he told me that he had been seeking up and down the stream for 
the most convenient point at which to throw the bridge across, and that he 
believed he had found it. 

“That is well!” I cried delightedly; “and I congratulate you upon the fact 
that you have been able at last to steal a few moments from your habitual thought- 
lessness to devote to the general good of our little colony. I shall not be slow to 
assure myself whether in this, your first attempt, you have shown any proof of 
sagacity. If it should so happen that the point you have fixed upon should seem to 
me to be well chosen, we will occupy ourselves in floating the beams and planks 
thither while your good mother prepares our dinner.” 

James at once conducted us to the spot where he thought the bridge might 
most readily be built, and, after a careful examination, I was of opinion that it was 
the one of all others which offered the least difficulty. 

After a few journeys to and fro, the transport of materials was duly efiected, 
and everything was ready to commence the construction of our bridge. 

At the point which James had chosen, the stream was narrower than at any 
other, and the banks on either side were of about the same height. Besides this, 
there were trees on both sides to which we could fix the cross-beams. 

“ Now,” said I, when everything was ready to commence operations, “ the first 


64 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


thing to be done is to measure the width of the stream, in order to see whether we 
have any pieces of wood long enough to reach across.” 

“ It seems to me,” replied Ernest, “ that nothing is more easy. It will only be 
necessary to tie a stone to the end of a piece of twine, and fling it across the stream. 
We can then draw it towards us till it reaches the edge of the water on the other 
side, and the length of the twine will give us the measure we seek.” 

Having put in practice this plan — which, as it occurred to me, was as simple as 
it was ingenious — Ernest calculated that the stream at that point was about eighteen 
feet in width. 

I concluded it to be necessary that the principal beams should have a resting- 
place of at least three feet on each bank of the stream; and therefore selected from 
our store three of from twenty-four to twenty-five feet in length. 

The greatest difficulty yet remained to be overcome. It was how to lay these 
enormous pieces of wood across the stream. I proposed to my boys that we should 
resolve this difficulty over our meal, which had been awaiting us some time. 

We thereupon returned to my wife, who had been somewhat impatiently 
expecting our coming, for the crabs were ready for eating a quarter of an hour 
since, and she was afraid that our dinner would be spoilt. 

But before sitting down we could not forbear admiring the patience and 
ingenuity the careful housewife had displayed, in preparing panniers of sail-cloth 
for the ass and the cow to remove our goods in. We applauded her skill still more 
when we learned that, for want of needles of a large size, she had pierced the holes 
for the twine with nails, and had thus painfully sewn her material strongly together. 

The repast was short, for each of us was anxious to get back again to work. 
Although we discussed at length the best means of getting our beams across, none 
of the children hit upon a feasible plan. Happily I was better inspired. 

As soon as we got back to our miniature dockyard, I put into execution the 
plan I had conceived. 

I affixed a rope to that end of the first of my huge beams which was nearest to 
the bank of the stream upon which we were standing, and tied the rope to one of 
the trees that overshadowed us. To the other end of the beam I fastened a longer 
rope, and walking boldly through the stream, carried it over to the other side, where 
I ran it over the wheel of a pulley which I hung upon the branch of a large 
tree upon that side. Then I came back again, and attached the end of this second 
rope to the ass and the cow. I bade them pull together, which they did, and I had 
the satisfaction of seeing my beam first rise out of thd water, and, next, swing 
slowly across to the other side of the stream. 

The children, astonished to see a difficult piece of work accomplished so easily, 
jumped for joy, clapping their hands, and shouting triumphantly at the top of their 
voices. 

The most difficult part of our labour was now at an end. The two other beams 


Eemoving, 


65 



THE DOGS AND THE PORCUPINE.— p. 68. 


v/ere laid, in a similar manner, parallel with the first, and nothing remained but to 
nail a series of planks across them to finish the bridge. 

We had the happiness of bringing our work to an end before nightfall. But 
we were all very much fatigued; and never since our landing had we slept so 
soundly as during the hours of darkness which followed the greatest of the labours 
that we had yet achieved. 


CHAPTER yill. 

REMOVING. — THE PORCUPINE. — THE “PROMISED LAND.” 

At the first dawning of day I woke up the children, to whom I thought it right to 
give a few instructions concerning their duties during our removal. 

“We are going,” I said, “to traverse a strange and, for aught I know, 
dangerous tract of country. Let none of you venture alone. The same risk 
menaces those who go too far ahead and those who fall off in the rear. Let us 
all travel as closely together as we can, and if* an enemy presents itself, leave me to 
direct the attack or the defence.” 

a 


66 . 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


Morning prayer offered, and breakfast at an end, we prepared to set out. The 
animals were driven in, and tbe ass and tlie cow were loaded with the panniers 
which my wife had made on the previous evening, and which we had filled with all 
such articles as were likely to be of the greatest use to us. We took care, too, not 
to forget a little of the captain’s wine and some butter. 

As I was about to complete the loading of the animals with our bed-clothes, 
our hammocks, and a quantity of cordage, my wife interposed and claimed a seat for 
little Francis, as well as for the sack which she called her enchanted bag. She also 
pointed out that it was absolutely necessary to take our fowls and pigeons with us, 
inasmuch as they would most certainly disperse and be lost as soon as we ceased to 
feed them. I gave way to her wishes. A comfortable place was found for Francis 
on the back of the donkey, where he was safely seated between the panniers, with 
the enchanted bag at his back to lean against. 

It now remained to catch the fowls and pigeons. The children ran after them 
and did their best to capture them, but without taking a single bird. 

Wiser than they, my wife stood still, and told them that in that position she 
would undertake to catch all the birds, scared as they were, without any trouble 
whatever. 

“Ah, well !” said the youngsters, “we shall see ! we shall see !” 

“ I intend you to do so,” replied their mother. 

Upon that she scattered a few handfuls of grain around the entrance to the 
tent, and in a twinkling all our winged friends were around us. After they had 
eaten their first meal, she scattered a few more handfuls of grain, this time not 
outside, but inside the tent. Pigeons and fowls at once rushed in after it, and soon 
found themselves in a trap. 

“ More is to be done by address than by violence, you see, young gentlemen,” 
said my wife, as she closed the entrance to the tent. 

James was allowed to creep in to hold our feathered prisoners wnile we tied their 
legs together ; and this done, we placed them on the back of the cow, shielding 
them from the sun with a cloth which we spread out upon a couple of sticks bent 
into the form of an arch. Thus hid away in the shade, they did not worry us with 
their cackling. 

Everything we proposed to leave behind us that coma oe injured either by the 
rain or by the sun we shut up in the tent, the entrance to which we carefully closed 
up with stakes, and barricaded with casks and chests, some full and some empty. 

Then I gave the signal to set out. 

We were all well armed, and each of us carried a game-bag filled with provi- 
sions and ammunition. We were in the best of humours with ourselves and with 
each other. 

F'ritz, gun under arm, placed himself at the liead of the procession. Behind 
him came my wife, leading in the cow and the ass, who walked side by side. On 


' Bemovino. 


G7 


the latter was seated little Francis, who amused us greatly from time to time by his 
droll sayings. Behind the cow and the ass came James and the goat, and behind 
these Ernest and the sheep. I myself formed the rear-guard. The dogs ran here,' 
there, and everywhere, sniffing and barking, and constantly on the alert. 

The little caravan, which travelled but slowly, had a truly picturesque aspect. 

So struck was I with this as I looked at it, that I could not refrain from callinsr 
out to my eldest boy : “ Come, Fritz, that little project which you mentioned the 
other day seems not unlikely of accomplishment after all. It was thus, at all events, 
that good old Abraham first set out from the home of his fathers. What do you 
think of it, my young patriarch ?” 

Ernest rejfiied for his brother : ‘‘As for me, papa,” he said, “ I find it delightful; 
and I am not at all astonished that there should still be people on the earth who 
prefer the nomadic life to a fixed place of residence.” 

“ No doubt it is a life that has its pleasures,” I replied ; “ but Heaven grant 
that we may not be reduced to the necessity of leading it long ! You would soon 
grow tired of it, I assure you. Let us hope that this pilgrimage may be the last of 
the kind which we shall have to make.” 

“ May your prayer be answered !” ejaculated my wife devoutly. “ I trust our 
new dwelling may prove so comfortable and pleasant that we shall never have to 
seek another. In any case it is upon me tliat the responsibility of causing you all 
this trouble and fatigue must fall, for it was I who first conceived the idea of quitting 
the tent.” 

“ Wherever you may go, my dear wife,” said I, “ be assured we shall follow you 
without a murmur ; for we all know that jmu are incapable of forming a thought 
which is not intended for the general good. There is no selfishness in your nature.” 

As we approached the bridge, the sow, which had at first appeared but little 
inclined to follow us, rejoined the party — not, however, without manifesting by her 
impatient gruntings the displeasure which so long a journey occasioned her. It may 
be as well to add that we did not trouble ourselves very seriously concerning her ill- 
humours. 

The crossing of the stream was effected without accident, but the rich vegeta- 
tion on the other side retarded our march not a little. The ass, the cow, the goats^ 
and the sheep — which for a long time past had enjoyed no such feast — could not 
resist the temptation of regaling themselves with the abundant pasture which way- 
laid them at every step. All the efforts of our dogs, both in the way of barking 
and sometimes of biting, were needed to make them move forward at all. 

In oi’der to avoid further delays, I hit upon the idea of making our way down 
the side of the stream and travelling along the coast. I considered that there was 
no pasture there to cause the animals to loiter, and that, in addition, the barrenness 
of the land would facilitate our own journey by presenting a less troublesome road 
to travel over. 


68 


Tee Swiss Family Bobinsoe. 


"We had not gone far in this new direction when we saw our dogs bounding 
round a thicket, and barking excitedly, as if they were attacking some ferocious 
animal that had taken refuge there. 

Fritz, with gun to shoulder and finger upon trigger, advanced resolutely to the 

charge. 

Ernest uneasily took refuge nearer 
his mother j not, however, without making 
ready to fire should occasion require it. 

James dashed intrepidly after his 
elder brother, with his gun slung care- 
lessly over his shoulder. 

I was hastening after to protect him 
if he should fall into danger, when he cried 
out at the top of his voice, “ Oh, papa ! Come along ! Make haste ! A porcupine ! 
an enormous porcupine !” 

I hurried to the spot, and was not long in descrying what indeed was a porcu- 
pine, as James had said; but it was not nearly so large as he had given me to 
understand. 

The dogs were still barking, and gnashing their teeth with rage to find them- 
selves confronted by an animal which they could not attack without running the 



risk of paying dearly for their temerity. 

The porcupine was carrying on the battle after the fashion of his tribe. He 
had turned tail upon his adversaries, and, with his head hidden between his paws, 
was thrusting himself backwards against them, with all his quills bristling and 
shaking in a manner which produced a strange rattling _ 

sound, that daunted the dogs as much as his odd method 
of fighting. Every time Turk or Fan pounced upon him, 
they returned from the charge with a number of small 
but irritating wounds. At length their mouths and 
muzzles bled profusely. 

Fritz and I stood watching for an opportunity 
to fire at the creature without danger of hurting the 
dogs. 

James, however, more impatient, and not compre- 
hending our hesitation, drew one of his pistols and, 
without more ado, shot the porcupine dead on the spot. 

Fritz could not conceal his annoyance at finding that his brother had so 
promptly carried off the honours of the day. “Imprudent boy!” he cried out 
angrily, “you not only risk the life of our dogs, but you might have injured us 
by firing so near and so unexpectedly.” 

“Injured you!” replied his brother laughingly. “Do you think, then, my 



THE RESTIVE DONKEY.— p. 70. 


Removing. 


69 


accomplislied young sportsman, that no one knows how to shoot but you ? I was 
perfectly well aware of what I was doing.’* 

Seeing that Fritz was about to reply, I immediately interposed. “ It is true,” 
said I to my eldest son, “ that your brother ought to have acted with less precipita- 
tion ; but at the same time I cannot but think that it would have become you far 
better to praise rather than to blame him for his promptitude. Especially was it 
wrong in you, his elder bro- 
ther, to act in this manner. 

Learn this, Fritz, that he 
who would render himself 
worthy of applause, must 
not fail loyally to applaud 
others whenever fitting oc- 
casion offers itself. Come, 
no more rancour ! Your 
turn will come next. Shake 
hands, and let there be no 
more ill - feeling between 
you.” 

Neither of the boys 
was vindictive. They cor- 
dially shook hands, and, 
forgetting all about their 
quarrel, set to work to de- 
vise some means of carry- 
ing ofi* the animal — ^the 
flesh of which, I had told 
them, made excellent food. 

James, with his ha- 
bitual lack of caution, had already laid hold upon the animal with his hands, and, 
in consequence, was bleeding from several wounds in them. 

“ Go and get a piece of string,” said I ; “ you can then tie its feet together, and 
throw it over a stick, which you can carry between you, one holding each end.” 

But, impatient to show his game to his mother and younger brothers, James 
drew out his pocket-handkerchief, tied it round the neck of the porcupine, and 
dragged the animal along the ground to the place where the caravan awaited us. 

“Look, mamma 1” he cried, coming up breathless; “ look, Ernest ! See here, 
my little Francis, what a splendid animal I have killed ! I killed it myself — what 
do you think of that ! I did not care for its hundreds of spikes. I came up to it, 
and with one shot — bang ! — it was dead. I am not the one to fail, am I, eh ? It is 
delicious to eat : papa says so.” 



THE MARGAY.— 2). 74. 


70 


The Swiss Fabiilt Robinson. 


My wife felicitated her son upon his courage and address. 

I warned him mildly against the impropriety of undue egotism. 

Ernest, who now came up, examined the porcupine very attentively and with 
his usual deliberateness. He then remarked that it had in each jaw two long 
incisor teeth of the same kind as those of the hare and squirrel, while its ears were 
short and rounded, and had some distant resemblance to those of the human 
species. 

My wife and I, meanwhile, had seated ourselves on the ground, and were 
engaged in drawing out the points of the creature’s quills which still remained in 
the muzzles of our dogs. 

“Come, James !” said I, “were you not afraid that the animal would shoot out 
his quills at you like arrows ? They say the porcupine has the power of doing so.” 

“ Ho,” he replied bluntly. “ To tell you the truth, I did not think anything 
about it. But, in any case, I should have doubted very much whether such a state- 
ment was not a fable.” 

“You see, nevertheless,” rejoined I, “that our dogs have not been spared?” 

“ Y ery true,” he said ; “ but that was because the dogs ran against the animah 
If they had kept their distance, they would not have been injured in the least.” 

“ You are right, my son,” I replied ; “ and I am glad to see that you distrust 
statements which do not seem to be in accord with reason. The porcupine has not 
the power of discharging its quills; but as it often happens that he sheds some 
of them when fighting, as this one did, the story which you so justly doubt has 
come to be believed.” 

Determined to carry the porcupine along with us, I placed round him a thick 
covering of herbs, and tied him up in some of our bed-clothes. I then fastened 
the bundle to the crupper of the donkey behind little Francis, and we proceeded 
upon our way. 

It was not long, however, before the donkey tore himself away from my wife, 
wlio led him by the bridle, and, careering wildly forward, leaped and kicked in so 
grotesque a manner, that his antics would have highly diverted us were it not for 
the imminent danger in which they placed our youngest child. 

Fritz ran after him, and aided by the dogs, who promptly stopped the way, 
soon obtained the mastery over him. 

Seeking an explanation of this sudden change in the humour of an animal 
habitually so patient and so peaceful, I discovered that the spikes of the porcupine 
had protruded through both the grass and the bed-clothes, and were tickling the 
skin of the animal in a manner which had no doubt proved far from pleasant. 

Thereupon I removed the dead animal from the donkey’s crupper, and placed it 
upon the enchanted bag, warning little Francis on no account to lean his back 
against it. 

Fritz, no doubt desirous, should occasion offer itself, of making good the 


The Tiger- Oat. 


71 


disappointment lie had suffered, strolled on, gun in hand, some distance in front 
of the caravan. 

At length, and without further adventure, we reached the “ Promised Land.’' 

“ Magnificent !" cried Ernest, when he saw the hugh trees which we were 
approaching ; what gigantic vegetation ! The great spire of Strasburg is not 
nearly so high. How glorious are the works of nature, compared with those of 
man ! What a delightful idea that was of mamma’s, to quit the desolate place where 
we first put up our tent in order to live here !” 

Then he asked me if I knew the names of these trees. 

“ So far as I am aware,” I replied, “ they are not described anywhere ; and I 
have little doubt that we are the first Europeans who have been privileged to see 
them. I defy the most agile of bears to get at us when we have established our 
dwelling-place at the top of these huge bare trunks.” 

“So you like our trees now you come to see them for yourselfi?” said my wife. 

“ I can now understand why you admired them so,” I replied. “ I think your 
choice perfect.” 

“And yet you were so unhappy at the idea of leaving our old dwelling for 
this !” she said, pointing her finger at me playfully, and laughing. “ Eie, incredulous 
man ! You must see before you will condescend to believe, must you P’ 

I smilingly accepted the amicable reproach. 

We halted. Our first care was to unload the beasts of burden, and turn them 
out to feed along with the sheep and the goats, first taking care to tie their fore-feet 
loosely together so that they might not stray away. The sow alone was left entirely 
mistress of her movements. 

We then let out the fowls and pigeons. The fowls at once began picking 
insects out of the grass around us. The pigeons fiew away into the branches of the 
trees, whence, however, they failed not to descend at the first distribution of grain. 

We then sat down upon the elastic greensward with which the whole soil there- 
abouts was carpeted, and took counsel together concerning the construction of our 
house in one of the giant trees. 


CHAPTEH IX. 

THE TIGER-CAT. THE WOUNDED FLAMINGO. 

As it did not seem at all probable that we should be able to instal ourselves in a new 
dwelling before the morrow, I became anxious concerning our means of passing the 
night in safety ; for at present we were exposed to the weather, and had no defence 
against wild beasts. 

I called Fritz, who I thought was amoiig us, to tell him that I intended to 
attempt the ascent of one of the trees at once. 


72 The Swiss Family Bobihson. 



THE FLAMINGOES.— jt?. 77 . 


He made no reply ; but two sliots fired in succession, a short distance away, 

I told us that he was not wasting his time. “Hit! hit! There he is!” we heard 
him crying excitedly. 

In a few moments he made his appearance, carrying by the hind-legs ■ a 
magnificent tiger-cat, which he proudly held up for us to look at. 

“ Bravo, my young hunter !” cried I ; “ you have rendered us a signal service 
in delivering our fowls and pigeons from this redoubtable neighbour ; for they would 
not be safe from his clutches even if they were perched upon the topmost branches 



% 



THE EEMOVAL 









74 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


of tliese higli trees. If you see any more of the family prowling about our neigh- 
bourhood, show them no quarter.” 

‘‘Nevertheless,” said Ernest, “since these animals have been created by God, 
they must exist for some useful purpose ; and I cannot, therefore, see why we should 
decree so merciless a war against them.” 

“ It is in vain,” I replied, “ to hazard guesses upon the ultimate purposes which 
God may have had in view in giving life to the creatures of his hand. Nevertheless, 
it may be permissible to search for the uses of those creatures in the great scheme of 
creation. This being so, I may say that, in my belief, all those animals which we 
wrongly, no doubt, look upon as being simply harmful, were created to maintain a 
certain equilibrium amongst the others. But let us abandon such questions as these, 
which are always difficult, or rather let us say impossible, to resolve, and ask Eritz 
to tell us where and how he discovered this animal.” 

“ I found it close by,” said Eritz. “ I noticed something moving among the 
leaves of one of the trees, and going stealthily up to the foot of it, saw this creature 
among the branches. I fired at it, and it fell at my feet. As I was going to take 
it up, it got upon its feet, and was about to make ofi*, when I brought it down dead 
with a pistol-shot.” 

“You may consider yourself fortunate,” I replied, “that it did not, when you 
had only wounded it, fly at you instead of trying to run away. Eor these animals, 
although so small in build, are terrible when they are defending their lives. I can 
say this with the more certainty inasmuch as I think I now recognise in the animal 
which you have just killed, not the tiger-cat properly so-called, but the margay, or 
cayenne- cat, which is very common in South America, and is famous for its rapacity 
and audacity. 

“However that may be,” said Eritz, “look at its magnificent coat — at those 
splendidly glossy black and brown spots upon the groundwork of gold! I trust 
James will be considerate enough to refrain from hacking the skin of my margay to 
pieces as he did that of my jackal.” 

“Never fear,” said I. “ If you only tell James that you want to keep a thing, 
he will not think of injuring it. But what do you propose to do with this skin V 

“ I was just going to ask you what I should do with it,” replied the young 
hunter. “ I shall follow your advice in the matter. Let it be understood, also, that 
I have no wish to use it exclusively for my own benefit.” 

“Well said, my son,” replied I. “In that case, as we have no need at present 
to draw upon furs for our clothing, I should advise that you turn the skin of the 
body and legs into cases for our silver dinner-sets which we found in the captain’s 
cabin on the wreck, and that with the skin of the tail you make yourself a hand- 
some hunting-belt to carry your knife and pistols in.” 

“And I, father?” asked James in his turn — “what shall I do with the skin of 
my porcupine ?” 


The Tiger-Cat. 


75 


“Why, my boy,” replied I, “after we have pulled out the quills to make needles 
or to tip arrows with, I fancy we shall be able to turn the skin into a kind of 
armour for the protection of our dogs in any future fights they may have with 
ferocious animals/’ 

“Capital ! capital !” cried James. “It will be great fun to see Turk and Fan 
dressed up in that fashion !” 

And the impetuous fellow would give me no rest till I had shown him how to 
skin his porcupine. 

To this end, I hung the animal up to a tree by the hind-legs, and proceeded to 
flay him — an operation in which I succeeded to perfection. 

Fritz, who watched me attentively, did the same by his margay. 

We then nailed the two skins to the trunk of a tree to dry. A portion of the 
flesh of the porcupine was cut oflf for the repast which my wife was beginning to 
prepare ; the rest was put by to be salted. 

Ernest, meanwhile, had been collecting some large stones, and building a fire- 
place with them. 

“Don’t you think ?” he asked me, after proceeding with his work in thoughtful 
silence for some time, “that these strange-looking trees belong to the mangrove 
family 

I answered that his supposition seemed to me to be a very reasonable one, but 
that I could not speak positively upon the point until I had consulted the captain’s 
library. 

“Ah ! those dear books !” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “I do so long for the 
time when we shall have leisure to read them through and through !” 

“ Patience, my dear child, patience ! ” said I j “ we must first of all devote our 
energies to the indispensable. It will not be long before we shall find ourselves with 
leisure to do as we please.’' 

Francis, who had been sent by his mother to gather dry wood to make the fire 
with, returned dragging a number of small branches behind him, and munching 
some fruit which he seemed to enjoy greatly. 

“ Imprudent child !” cried his mother, running towards him ; “ do you not know 
that this fruit which you think is so nice may possibly be poisonous, and make you 
die ? Show me what you have !” 

“ Die !” repeated the urchin, his eyes distended with fright. “ Oh ! pray do not 
let me die ! Oh ! I will never do it any more !” 

He threw down the branches at once, and began pulling out of his pocket a 
number of small figs, which he was about to throw away. I took one or two from 
him, and examined them. I was reassured, for, so far as I knew, there were no figs 
that were regarded as poisonous. 

I asked Francis where he got them. 

“ Close by,” he said, “ under one of those trees. There are large quantities of 


76 


Tbe Swiss Family Bobinson. 


them lying there. I thought they must be fit to eat, because I saw the fowls and 
the sow regaling themselves with them to such a degree, that they seemed to be 
trying which could eat them fastest.” 

“ That is by no means a safe test,” I replied ; “ for there are plenty of fruits 
which are good for animals but are not good for man, and plenty good for man 
which are not good for animals. However, as the physical constitution of the 
monkey is more like that of man than is the case with other animals, and as, more- 
over, the monkey knows by instinct what is good for man to eat and what not, 
I advise you to consult him whenever you find anything that you would like to eat 
but do not know the nature of.” 

Hardly had these words left my mouth ere Francis had run to the monkey, which 
was tied up to the root of an adjacent tree, and was offering him one of the figs with 
which his pockets were filled. 

The little animal, seated upon his haunches, took the fruit in his hands, looked 
at it, sniffed it, and at length began to eat it. 

‘‘ Good ! ” cried Francis, quite reassured by the success of this experiment ; and 
he again set to work upon the delicious contents of his pockets. 

“ So,” said Ernest, “ these are fig-trees after all.” 

So it appears,” I replied ; “ but not the dwarf species such as we used to see 
in Europe. These belong, as you supposed at first, to the family of the mangroves, 
and, as I believe, to the species called the ‘ yellow mangrove,^ which, so far as I 
remember, is said to thrust out its enormous roots in arches such as we see here.” 

While gossiping thus, and while my wife, aided by little Francis, was getting 
the dinner ready, I employed myself in making needles out of the porcupine’s quills. 
The point had been already made by nature ; it only remained to pierce a hole 
through the other extremity, which I did with a long nail that I made red-hot in 
the fire. In a short time I turned out a large assortment of excellent needles, which 
my wife was very glad to accept. 

The children, who never ceased to wonder at the prodigious height of the trees 
amongst which we had determined to fix our dwelling, made many ineffectual 
attempts to climb up them. I was at first as much puzzled as they to hit upon a 
plan of reaching the branches where we were to build our hut; but as I was 
thinking over the matter, an idea struck me, of which, however, I deferred the 
execution. 

The repast being at length ready, we seated ourselves around it on the grass, 
and fell-to. The fiesh of the porcupine and the soup in which it had been boiled 
were found excellent, and we finished our meal with butter and Dutch cheese. 

Thus refreshed, we determined to make the best use of the few hours of day 
that remained to us. 

I told my wife to make us some straps as quickly as she could, in order that 
with these and a few lengths of rope we might go down to the beach and bring up 


The Tiger-Cat. 


77 



FRANCIS’S EXPERIMENT.— p. 76 . 


what timber was necessary for our projected building operations. She set to work 
at once. 

Meanwhile, I took the precaution to prepare our hammocks for the night, lest 
we should find ourselves without a bed to lie on. I hung them to the arched roots 
of one of the mangroves, and stretched a piece of sail-cloth over the top to preserve 
us both from the dew and the mosquitoes, of which latter there were swarms. 

This done, T went down to the coast with Fritz and Ernest to see if we could 
find some jDieces of wood that would serve for the steps of a ladder, which I intended 
to construct of strong cord. 

Ernest discovered, at the edge of a morass, a quantity of bamboos which were 
half-turied in the ooze. 

We pulled some of them up, and having cut them into lengths of three or four 
feet with our axes, made them up into three bundles — one for each of us. 

At some distance from the place where we found the bamboos, and a little 
nearer the centre of the marsh, I espied a thick bed of reeds, towards which I 
directed my steps* in order to cut some for the purpose of making arrows of them. 
Fan, who was walking beside me, suddenly dashed forward, barking loudly; and 
immediately a flock of magnificent flamingoes flew off with extreme swiftness. 

Fritz, who was never taken at unawares in emergencies of the kind, had jusv 
time to lift his gun to his shoulder and fire before the birds were out of range. 

Two of the flamingoes fell — one of them stone dead, the other only wounded in 


78 


The Swiss Family Eobj: < 

^ 7 ^ 7 

the wing. This latter would in all probability t s ; • a escape, had not 

Fan at once bounded off in pursuit of it. She sou • < • ■ it, and sagaciously 

held it by the wing until I came up and took it from her. 

When I returned to the boys and showed them my prize, they clapped their 
hands for joy, and begged me to keep the bird in order that they might try to tame 
and domesticate it. 

“ What a splendid picture it will make, with its delicate white and rose-tinted 
plumage, among our other poultry !” cried Fritz. 

Ernest remarked that the flamingo had feet formed both lor running like the 
stork and swimming like the goose; and he expressed his wonderment that two 
powers so dissimilar should be given to the same creature. 

I told him that several species of animals were thus privileged. 

Desirous that the incident should not prevent me from taking possession of my 
coveted reeds, I set to work cutting a number of the longest of them, remarking to 
the boys that I intended to use them for measuring the height of the tree in which 
we proposed to build our habitation. 

“Ah! ah!” laughed they incredulously, “you will not be able to join enough 
of them together to reach even to the place where the branches spring forth.” 

“Patience! patience!” I replied. “Eemember the lesson which your mother 
taught you when she set about catching the fowls. Wait till you know how I 
intend to proceed before you take upon yourselves to pronounce an opinion.” 

The two boys were silent. 

Then, laden with our bamboos, our reeds, and the dead and the living flamingo 
— ^which latter I had tied by the legs — we returned to the family. 

James and Francis welcomed the live flamingo with shouts of joy ; but their 
mother looked troubled as she reflected that we were adding another useless mouth 
to the already large number of our domestic animals. 

Less prone than she to be anxious on such a subject, I set myself to examine 
the creature’s wounds. I saw that the ends of both its wings were fractured — in 
the one case by Fritz’s gun-shot, in the other by the teeth of Fan. I dressed each 
of the wounds with a sort of ointment which I compounded of butter and salt and 
wine. This done, the flamingo was tied by a cord to a stake driven into the ground 
near the stream. Left to itself, it tucked its bill under its wing, supported itself 
upon one of its long legs, drawing the other close up to its body, and went off to 
sleep. 

While I was engaged with my surgery, the youngsters had tied several reeds 
together, end to end, and were raising them against one of the mangroves to measure 
its height. Their measuring-rod, however, scarcely reached to the place where the 
aerial roots sprang from the trunk ; and I heard them expressing anew their doubts 
as to the success of the plan which I had hinted at, but had not yet explained to 
them. 


The Tiger-Gat. 


79 


Leaving them to their "useless and incredulous gossip, and smiling at their 
perplexity, I took several of the reeds, which I pointed at one end, and garnished at 
the other with feathers plucked from the dead flamingo. I weighted the arrows 
thus formed by filling the hollow of the reed with sand. Then I constructed a bow 
by taking a bamboo-cane, shaving it ofi* thin at each end, and drawing it into an 
arc with a piece of cord. 

James and Fritz were not long in finding out what I was doing, then ran 
towards me, shouting, “ Oh ! a bow ! a bow and arrows ! Papa, let me shoot with 
it ! Do let me try ! You shall see that I know how to do it.” 

“ One moment, children/’ I said. “ Surely, if I have had the trouble of making 
the bow, I ought to have the honour of taking the first shot. Besides, do not 
suppose that I intend to use it merely as a toy. I have a useful end in view ; and, 
if you will be patient an instant, I will show you what that end is.” 

I then asked my wife if she could find me a ball of coarse cotton. 

“ It is just possible that I may,” she replied with a smile. “ I will consult my 
enchanted bag.” 

She put her hand into the bag and drew it out again, saying, “ There, that is 
the article I think you require.” 

And as she seemed to be a little proud of her achievement, James took it upon 
himself to say, “Wonderful ! A fine mystery indeed to take out of a bag what you 
have already put there !” 

“ Doubtless,” replied I to the giddy fellow, “ the mystery is not very great in 
itself. Nevertheless, the presence of mind which, at the moment we were leaving 
the wrecked vessel, enabled your prudent mother to fill a bag with a thousand 
nameless articles of the first utility, which we should all Lave forgotten, is not a 
thing to be passed over lightly. But it is ever thus. The thoughtless cannot see 
beyond the present hour. In the morning they will sell the bed which at night they 
will need to sleep on.” 

James was the best boy in the world. He at once threw himself into his 
mother’s arms and kissed her. “ I deserve,” he said, “ to be sewn up in the bag and 
never let out again.” 

“ Little deceiver,” said his mother, fondling him, “ you know well enough I 
should not let you stay there long.” 

“ And you would be in the right,” said I, laughing j “ for if you did, you would 
run the risk of having your enchanted bag turned into a useless incumbrance.” 

Having unwound the greater part of the ball of cotton, I fastened the end of it 
to one of the arrows. Then, adjusting the arrow upon the bow, I drew in the 
direction of that part of the highest mangrove where we proposed to build our new 
dwelling. The shaft fell on the other side of one of the branches, upon which, there- 
fore, the cotton hung suspended. 

It was easy enough now, by drawing the arrow back to the branch, to get a 


80 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


length of cotton equal to the height of our intended domicile, and thus to judge of 
the length of ladder it would be necessary to construct. 

We found that we should want one about fifty feet long. I measured ofi* some- 
thing like a hundred feet of strong cord, which I divided into two parts, and laid 
out in parallel lines upon the ground. I then told Fritz to saw the bamboos into 
lengths of two feet each, and, assisted by James and Ernest, I placed these ladder- 
wise between the ropes, and fastened them at each end — first with a knot to fix 
their position, and then with a nail to prevent them from slipping. 

In less than an hour and a-half the ladder was finished. In order to hoist it 
into its place, I employed the same means which had served me so well in measuring 
the height. Another arrow was shot off. The cotton lodged as before. But to the 
first thread I had attached a triple one, to that a piece of twine, to that a strong 
cord, and to that the ladder. All I had to do, therefore, was to pull the arrow-end 
of the cotton until I had drawn the ladder into its place. I then had the strong 
cord to fasten it by to one of the arched roots of the mangroves, and our stairs were 
complete. 

James and Fritz fell into a dispute as to who should first ascend. I gave the 
preference to James, Avho was lighter than his brother, and as agile as a mouse. 
Before allowing him to start, however, I advised him not to venture a single step 
until he had ascertained that the rung of the ladder upon which he was next to 
tread was solidly fixed and strong enough to bear his weight. I also counselled him 
to come down as swiftly as he could on perceiving* the least danger. 

He instantly commenced the ascent, paying very little attention to my recom- 
mendations, and in a few moments reached — Heaven be thanked, without accident ! 
— the first branch, across which he seated himself astride as upon a horse, shouting — 

“Victory! victory!” 

Fritz was the next to mount. With a few pieces of rope he made the ladder 
still more secure, and I then hazarded the ascent myself. 

Landed safely among the branches, I took a careful survey of the whole trunk 
at that part, with a view of fixing upon the best spot for our future habitation. 

Night fell suddenly while I was thus employed, but by the light of the moon 
I managed to fix to one of the branches a large pulley which I had brought 
with me ; and this served in the morning to enable us to draw up our building 
materials. 

I was preparing to descend when I missed Fritz and James. 

Not seeing them anywhere, I concluded that they had gone down before me, 
and was about, as I thought, to follow them, when all at once there fell upon my ear, 
from among the top branches of the tree, a sound of two clear young voices singing 
in harmony an evening hymn. 

I could not interrupt the unexpected concert. Both in the accents of the artless 
young singers, and in the thought of offering such praise to God in such a solitude 


The Tiger- Gat. 


81 



THE HOUSE IN THE TREE.— p. 83 . 


there was something so sweet and touching, that I regarded it as the presage of a 
benediction upon our new dwelling-place. 

When they had finished their evensong they rejoined me, and we all descended 
/ogether. 

Our careful housewife, who had milked the cow and the goats, gave us some 


6 



82 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


excellent porridge, and afterwards brought out the remainder of the porcupine left 
from dinner. We made a hearty meal. 

We tied up the beasts near our hammocks beneath the arched roots of the 
great tree. 

Ernest and Francis had employed the time we had spent aloft by gathering 
together, in accordance with my instructions, a great quantity of dead wood, which 
enabled me to keep in a large bonfire all night for the purpose of frightening away 
the wild beasts. 

Our evening prayer being ofiered, my wife and the children were not long in 
getting to rest in the hammocks which swung from the over-hanging roots. 

For myself, I rested not. I had resolved to ke^ watch, so that our fire might 
not go out while we slept. 

During the first half of the night I was kept continually on the alert by the 
slight noises that made themselves heard on every hand. Even the murmur of the 
wind among the leaves was enough to alarm me. 

But I soon became accustomed to these sounds, and, little by little, felt myself 
sinking beneath the overpowering weight of fatigue. Towards the morning slumber 
took me captive. I slept so deeply, that when I awoke all the family were on foot. 


CHAPTER X. 

THE BUILDING IS THE TREE. 

Immediately after breakfast my wife ordered James and Ernest to harness the ass 
and the cow with the straps which, under my instructions, she had made on the 
previous evening. Then, with the three younger boys, she made preparations for a 
journey to the beach to bring up what timber might be necessary for the construc- 
tion of our aerial habitation. 

As I knew that the work of haulage over such ground, and with such beasts as 
we had, would be heavy, and as I foresaw that the little troop of workers would 
have to make many journeys before they could supply us with enough wood for our 
purpose, I grew anxious. My wife had not been used to such work : the children 
were young. 

I said as much. 

“ Pray do not trouble yourself on my account, dear,” said my wife. “ This 
settler’s life falls in with my humour far better than you imagine. It is both right 
and enjoyable that we should win our wealth by the sweat of our brow. It is a 
law of God which we are too apt to forget in civilised lands, and it is sweet to feel 
that one is fulfilling it. Do you know, I already love our dumb companions here. 
Shall I teil you why ? It is because I feel that they love me too. Our fowls, our 


The Building in the Tree. 


83 


ducks, our dogs, the poor ass, the cow, all are our friends ; and not only so, but the 
most faithful and the most useful friends we have ever had — humble, laborious, 
patient, grateful. Should it be our fortune to leave this island some day, what a 
useful school will our sojourn here have proved for myself and the children — nay, 
even for you yourself, my love !” 

The speech of my wife was better to me than wealth j for courage and good 
sense are the true gold of our daily lives. 

I suffered her to set out upon her expedition, and fortified by her wise words 
and good example, began work upon my own account, with a heart overflowing 
with joy. 

I ascended the tree with Fritz, and chose a spot in the centre of the lower 
branches, where, aided by saw and axe, we prepared a place for the erection of our 
hut. The branches themselves, spreading out horizontally, served us to a thought 
as joists for our flooring. "We left a few some six or eight feet above these on which 
to hang our hammocks. A few others a little higher were so trimmed as to form 
rafters for the support of our sail-cloth, which was to be used for roofing. 

These preliminary preparations were not achieved without difficulty ; but in 
the end we had the happiness of finding that we had cleared a large open space in 
the thick branches of the mangrove, which would serve us admirably as a site for 
a dwelling-house. 

The beams and planks, which had in the meantime been brought in large 
quantities from the beach, were now drawn up into the tree by the pulley — a con- 
trivance which multiplied our strength even more than we had anticipated. 

The floor was laid, and a hand-rail placed all round it. 

We worked with so much ardour, that the middle of the day overtook us before 
we had one thought of eating. 

We contented ourselves with a light lunch, and after the repast returned with 
renewed vigour to our task. 

Our first business was to stretch our sail-cloth across the higher branches — a 
labour requiring not a little address and exertion. We finally decided to draw it 
over one branch and fasten it to the hand-rail on either side, thus forming a kind of 
gable. This done, our hut, of which the huge trunk of the tree formed one of the 
wails, was hermetically closed on three of its sides. The fourth, which faced the 
sea, was left open for the present, but I had hit upon a plan of closing it in case of 
need. I determined to cover it with another sail-cloth fixed upon a roller like a 
blind, so that we could draw it up or pull it down at will. 

When we had slung our hammocks to the branches which we had left for that 
Durpose, our habitation was ready for occupation at night. 

The sun was already sinking to rest. 

Fritz and I descended from the tree ; and, although I was very tired, I at once 
set to work upon the remaining planks and posts, and constructed a table and some 


84 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 

^ — — 

seats upon the site of our late dAvelling- place. It seemed to me a fitting spot for 

our future dining-room. 

This last labour accomplished to the intense satisfaction of the whole family, 
1 threw myself, worn-out with fatigue, upon one of the benches I had just con- 
structed- Wiping my forehead, which was bathed in perspiration, I said to my 
wife, “ I have worked to-day like a negro, and I will rest the whole of to-morrow.” 

“ I am glad to hear it,” said my wife, “ for not only do you need a day’s rest, 
but it is your duty to take it ; for, if I am not out in my reckoning, to-morrow is 



BRINGING UP THE TIMBER.— 2?. 82 . 


Sunday. ' Indeed, it is the second Sabbath that we have passed upon this coast, and 
I am sorry to think we forgot to celebrate the first.” 

My dear,” replied I, “ I did not fail to note the omission, but I considered 
that, being then in urgent necessity to provide for our personal safety, the obligation 
to keep the Sabbath as a day of total rest was not binding upon us. But now that 
we are in some sort freed from danger and established in a home, it would be a sign 
of deep ingratitude were we to neglect to render to God those acts of worship which 
we are assured are well-pleasing in his sight. It is proper, therefore, that the 
coming day should be wholly consecrated to the Lord. ' But,” I added, “since the 
children have not heard what we have been talking about, let us prepare for them 
an agreeable surprise by withholding from them all knowledge of our determination 
till the morning comes.” 

“ I agree,” said my wife. She then called the boys, who. though scattered in 



The Building in the Tree. 


85 


all directions, were not long in hastening in and seating themselves around the tabl© 
upon which dinner was already laid. 

The good housewife then brought from the fire a steaming pot, from which, 
when she had uncovered it, she drew forth with a large ’fork the flamingo we had 
shot on the previous evening. 

“ I had intended, said she, “ to roast the bird, but Ernest persuaded me not 
to do so, because it was old, and therefore not unlikely to be tough. So, following 
his advice, I have boiled it. You will decide whether it is well done or not.” 



PRACTISING WITH THE BOW.— p. 90. 


The young scholar was made the subject of some little raillery on the score of 
his profound knowledge of cookery ; but before long we were constrained to admit 
that he was an excellent judge in the matter. The flamingo, prepared in his way, 
was unanimously pronounced to be delicious, and eaten down to the last picking of 
the very smallest bone. 

While we were dispatching our repast, we had the satisfaction of seeing our 
live flamingo mingling familiarly for the first time with the poultry, which were 
grubbing and cackling around us. Some hours since we had let him loose from 
his stake, and left him at full liberty ; and during the whole of the afternoon we 
had seen him promenading gravely upon his two long pink legs, like a person 
absorbed in profound meditation. Seeing him at last released from his weightier 
cogitations, we ventured to throw him a few scraps of biscuit, which he caught with 
surprising dexterity, to the great disappointment of the fowls, over which he had an 



The Swiss Family Robinson. 


8G 


immense advantage in virtue of his long neck and longer limbs. He looked like a 
bird on stilts. 

The monkey, too, became more and more at home with us, pushing familiarity 
sometimes to the verge of impudence. He leaped from the shoulder of one to the 
shoulder of another, scrambled all over the table, and indulged in a thousand 
grotesque gambols. It was a question which of us should reward him for his tricks 
with the most delicacies. 

During dessert our sow lazily put in an appearance. We had not seen her since 
the previous evening. By gruntings which were as much like expressions of satis- 
faction as gruntings well can be, she seemed to manifest the pleasure she. felt in 
being able to rejoin us. 

My wife gave her a calabash-cup full of cow’s milk, wliich she drank uji 
greedily. 

So great a display of liberality appeared to me to be incompatible with those 
principles of economy which it behoved us to observe in our present condition. In 
a few words I said as much to my good housewife. She had her reply ready. 

' “Until we are fairly installed in our new home, and have the necessary 
utensils,” she said, “ it will be very difficult to make butter or cheese of the milk 
that is left from our daily consumption. It is far better, then, that I should dis- 
tribute it thus to the animals ; for, in the first place, it will serve to attach them to 
us; and in the next, it will save our grain, which is precious and not inexhaustible. 
Our salt is already coming to an end.” 

“ You are right in all things, my dear wife,” I said. “ We will soon replenish 
your stock of salt : it only needs a journey to the rocks. As to the grain, you shall 
not fail of a good supply the next time we make a voyage to the vessel.” 

“ Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! ” she exclaimed sadly ; “ that dreadful vessel again ! 
Always adventurous undertakings ! I shall never be at peace until the day comes 
when your voyages are at an end.” 

“ I can understand all your fears, my love,” I said, “ and I respect them. But, 
as you know, we never embark unless both ^^a and sky are calm ; and you must 
yourself admit that we should be without* excuse, were we to push timidity to the 
length of voluntarily abandoning the treasures which the wrecked vessel still 
contains.” 

While we were thus conversing, the boys had lighted a fire a few feet from the 
tree, and were piling upon it the largest dry branches they could find, in order that 
it might last as long as possible through the night, and protect our cattle from 
dangerous animals. 

We then ascended the tree. Fritz, James, and Ernest went first, and accom- > 
plished the ascent with the agility of cats. Their mother followed slowly, and with 
the utmost precaution. 

Left to the last, I had a little more difficulty than the others, for I had thought 


Sunday. 


87 


it wise to •unfasten the ladder from its stake at the lower end, in order that I might 
draw it up after me ; moreover, I carried tied to my back our little Francis, whom 
I did not like to trust alone. 

I reached my destination without mishap, and when I had drawn up the 
ladder, the boys compared our new dwelling-place to one of those enchanted castles 
of ancient chivalry which were impregnable to all assaults. 

However that might be, I did not neglect to load the arms in readiness to fire 
upon any ill-intentioned visitor. Our dogs keeping guard at the foot of the tree 
would signal the enemy’s approach : we could do the rest ourselves. 

Our precautions thus taken, each retired to his hammock. Sleep fell upon all 
of us, and the night flowed by in sweet tranquillity. 


CHAPTER XI. 

SUNDAY. 

Mdkning. 

“ What are we going to do to-day ?” inquired the children. 

“ Nothing — absolutely nothing,” replied I. 

“Ah ! ah ! father,” said Fritz, “you are making fun of us.” 

“ No,” I said gravely ; “ I am perfectly serious. To-day is Sunday, and we are 
about to celebrate it as a day consecrated by God to rest.” 

“Sunday! Sunday!” cried O’ames. “Hurrah! I shall go a walk, hunt, fish, 
do just what I please. Capital ! capital !” 

“You make a grievous mistake,” I said to the giddy-headed fellow. “ The 
Sabbath must be celebrated in quite another way. It is not a day of idleness or 
sport, but a day of prayer and thanksgiving, of religious thought and exercise.” 

“ But,” replied James, “ we have no church.” 

“ Nor any organ,” added Francis. 

“ That is true,” I replied ; “ but know you not that God is everywhere ? Is it 
possible to adore him in a cathedral more magnificent than the glorious temple of 
Nature which encloses us on every hand ? And do you think that our voices will 
be less acceptable to him when unaccompanied by music, than they would be if 
mingled with the sweet sound of instruments ? ” 

“ Papa is right,” said Ernest gravely. “ Ho we need a church for the worship 
we offer up every morning and evening 1 ” 

“Well said, my child,” I rei^lied. “So, then, we will ofier up prayer together; 
we will sing a hymn or two ; and in order to supply the place of a preacher, I w’ill 
do my best to unfold to you a parable which I have thought out for that purpose.” 

“ A parable ! a parable ! Draw near and let us listen ! ” cried they en- 
thusiastically. 


88 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


But I bade them have patience, and explained that our service would take 
the coarse I had already indicated. After offering prayer and singing a hymn, 

we seated ourselves upon the velvety grass. 

I then delivered my parable to an attentive 
and, as I felt, thoughtful auditory. I endeavoured, 
as far as possible, to place before them teachings 
suitable to our isolated condition, and to the varied 
characters of each of the children. My narrative, 
simple and familiar in all its bearings, seemed to 
make an impression upon the minds of all, and I 
closed it with the joyous feeling that it could not 
fail to bear happy fruit in the future. 

“ And now,” I said, as I finished my dis- 
course, “if I had in my possession the Book of 
all books, the Bible, in 
which is set forth the 
whole history of the people of God, I would read you a 
few passages, upon which I would make the best com- 
ments in my power ; and this reading and its accompany- 
ing reflections should close our exercises.” 

While I was speaking my wife got up and left us. 

It was not long before we saw her returning, holding in 
her hands the Book of which I was regretting that we 
had been deprived. 

This was so fairy-like a fulfilment of my desire, 
that I looked upon my wife with an expression of won- 
derment which plainly asked how she had come by so 
precious a treasure. 

“ The enchanted bag,” replied she with a smile — 
always the enchanted bag.” 

Before opening the book I could not refrain from 
impressing upon the children the advantages of foresight, 
of which faculty I said their mother afforded an example 
worthy of their imitation. 

My words were approved as by one voice. 

Touched by this simple act of homage, my wife 
embraced us all fondly, and wept tears of joy. 

After having read two or three chapters of the 
TToly Book, and endeavoured to explain the meaning 
of them, I declared the religious exercises of the day ended, and gave each of the 
boys permission to devote himself to some recreation, either of the body or the min4., 




THE ORTOLAN.— p. 90. 







DIVINE SEEVICE.— p. 88. 






90 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


James begged me to lend him my bow, which I did. Shortly afterwards I 
found him endeavouring to tip his arrows with porcupine quills. 

While trying in vain to fix them, I heard him mutter, “ Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! I 
wish I had some glue.” 

I advised him to melt one of the soup-cakes in a small quantity of water, 
and see if that would serve the purpose. 

He adopted my suggestion, and soon had the satisfaction of finding himself 
armed with a number of arrows which would be deadly in the hands of a skilful 
archer. 

I could not help thinking, as I watched his employment, how desirable it was 
that our children should practise archery. Our store of powder, although it was 
ample, was not inexhaustible, and it behoved us to use it with the utmost 
economy. 

I was disturbed in my reflections by the report of a gun, and instantly there 
fell at my feet five or six dead birds, which I picked up and recognised to be 
ortolans. 

It was our young philosopher who, having climbed into the tree, and seeing a 
flock of birds perched upon the upper branches, had fired straight into them with 
a charge of small shot. 

He now made his appearance in triumph upon the platform in front of 
our a&dal habitation, crying out at the top of his voice, “There, what do you 
think of that ? Was not that a clever shot ? Hid I not do it as it ought to be 
done?” 

These words arrested the steps of Fritz and J ames, who were already on the 
way to their guns, with the intention of following the example of their brother. 

Ernest himself descended from the tree at once, and approaching me in some 
confusion, begged that I would pardon his giddy-witted action. 

I did not require asking twice. The involuntary fault of my little sportsman 
had revealed to me that we had at our very doors a species of game which was at 
once abundant in quantity and delicate in quality. 

These ortolans, attracted to the gigantic mangrove in which we had built our 
dwelling by the figs that grew there, filled the trees all round about us. I foresaw 
that it would be easy enough, either with springs or with gun-shots, to procure any 
number we might require ; and as I knew that, for the delight of European epicures, 
it was the fashion to preserve these birds half roasted in fat, I made up my mind to 
lay in a stock of them, to be prepared in a similar manner. 

Awaiting a larger supply, my wife took the six ortolans which Ernest had shot, 
plucked them, and put them in train for being cooked. 

Fritz, who had decided to use up the skin of his margay in the manufacture of 
cases for our dinner sets, as I had recommended, came to consult me upon the best 
means of currying his leather. 


Sunday. 


91 


I advised him to rub it with ashes and sand, and to soften it afterwards with 
butter and the yolks of eggs. 

While Fritz was engaged in his amateur currying operations, Francis, already 
the possessor of a small bow and arrow, which he was learning to shoot with skill, 
came to me to beg that I would make him a quiver, which he could sling over his 
shoulder and use for carrying the arrows I had made for him from the reeds. 
I made him one with four pieces of bark cut off to a point and nailed neatly 
together. Thus equipped, the infant Nimrod set out joyously in search of 
adventure. 

Ernest had taken the Bible, and, seated at the foot of the tree, seemed absorbed 
in what he was reading there. 

It was not long before my wife called us to our dinner, and served up the 
ortolans, which, though delicious, were certainly not numerous enough to satisfy 
our appetites. 

While we were dining I told my boys that I desired to lay before them a very 
important proposition. 

Their eyes were all fixed upon me at once with the utmost curiosity. 

“ It is,” I said, “ to give names to the various points of the island which we 
have visited and become acquainted with. By the aid of these names we shall be 
the better able to understand each other in conversation, and shall not have to 
use so many words to describe where we have been or intend to go. We will 
abstain, however,” I added, “from giving names to places on the coast, for it is not 
unlikely that European navigators have already discovered and christened them, and 
in that case we must be careful to respect the work of our predecessors. 

“ A capital idea ! an excellent thought ! ” cried all the children at once. “ Let 
us invent some names on the spot.” 

“ For my part,” said James, “ I am for choosing extraordinary and outlandish 
names — as, for example, Coromandel, Chandernagor, Zanguebar, Monomotapa, and 
so on.” 

“Well, but, my hare-brained young discoverer,” replied I, “if we cannot 
remember them, who will be the losers thereby ? Will it not be ourselves ? ” 

“ But what names can we find 1 ” he asked. 

“ The thing is very simple,” said I. “ In place of seeking names at hazard, 
why should we not choose such as will recall to us the events which have happened 
to us at the places we desire to christen ? ” 

“ That is the plan of all others,” said Ernest. And to commence with the bay 
where we debarked from the wrecked vessel, I propose that we call it Deliverance 
Bay.” 

“ So far as I am concerned,” objected James, “ I should prefer that it be called 
Lobster Bay, seeing it was there that one of those abominable creatures pinched 
me so terribly by the leg.” 


92 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


“No, no,” said liis mother, smiling at his egotistical pretentions, “that will not 
do. You might as well call it Weeping Bay, seeing how many tears you shed on 
that occasion. I am in favour of Ernest’s idea, and I think we all ought to be 
of the same mind. Gratitude to the benign Being who delivered us in our sore 
distress should decide the question at once.” 

“ Agreed ! agreed ! Deliverance Bay ! ” they all cried in unison. Even 
Ernest, forgetful of the modesty that befits an author, joined his voice with the 

rest, as also did James, who set aside 
all personal feeling in the matter mag- 
nanimously. ^ 

All the points in our domain re- 
ceived names in succession. The place 
of our first habitation was called 
Dndertentj the small island in the 
bay. Shark Island, in memory of the 
courage and address of Fritz. Then 
came Flamingo Marsh and J ackal 
Biver. Our new dwelling-place re- 
ceived the name of Falcon-nest ; “ for,” 
said I to my boys, “you are as hardy 
and adventurous as young falcons, and 
a;S much disposed to deeds of pillage in 
the immediate neighbourhood of your 
home.” The promontory from the top 
of which Fritz and I had vainly sought 
far and wide for traces of our unfor- 
tuuMe fellow- voyagers was named Cape 
Dis^pointment. 

These useful designations fixed 
upon, we rose from table, and each. of the boys was again set free to amuse himself 
as he listed. 

Fritz still busied himself in the manufacture of cases for the dinner sets. He 
fashioned four out of the feet of the skin, thrusting in a wooden mould which he 
had made to give them the proper form. 

James begged me to assist him in getting ready for Turk the coat of mail 
which I had previously suggested should be made out of the thorny skin of the 
porcupine. 

I surrendered myself to his wishes. 

After having cleaned the skin in the same manner as I had recommended to 
Fritz for his margay, we fastened it with straps to the back and breast and 
shoulders of the dog, who, thus decked out, wore an aspect altogether warlike. 



THE KARATA.— p. 94 . 


Sunday. 


93 


He was very docile while we harnessed him, and appeared to have no thought of 
disembarrassing himself of his strange armour. 

Fan, however, was far from finding her companion’s costume to her taste. 
Every time she approached him, as her habit was, to caress and sport with him, 
she returned from the charge with a cruelly-punctured hide. She was puzzled. 
Thereupon it was sagely decided that war trappings were not a thing to be abused, 
and that Master Turk should only be fitted out with his coat of mail when we 
were about to engage in expeditions of the first importance. 

Of the remains of the skin James made himself a bristly cap, which he 
poised jauntily upon the side of his head, soldier-wise, observing that a helmet 
of that kind woiild, he hoped, efifectually put to flight any band of savages wliich 
it might be our lot to encounter in the future. 

The sun was now past the meridian : the heat had decreased. I proposed a 
walk. We deliberated upon the direction we should take, and for several reasons 
fixed upon TJndertent. Certain of our provisions were running short, and it was 
thought well to look to our magazines. Fritz and James wanted powder and shot. 
My wife wanted butter. Ernest hit upon the idea of bringing home a couple of the 
ducks, which he explained would find good water in the stream that ran beneath 
Falcon-nest. 

“ Let us set out at once, then,” said I, “ and prepare yourselves for a little 
frtigue. We are going to take a longer route than that by which we came.” 

We were soon on our way. Fritz and James, armed as I and Ernest were 
with their guns, took the lead — the one decorated with his jackal-skin belt, the 
other brave in his famous porcupine helmet. Even little Francis carried his bow 
and quiver. My wife alone was unarmed. 

The monkey, who insisted on being of the party, leapt precipitately to his 
accustomed seat upon the back of Turk ; but finding himself sorely pinched by the 
spikes of the dog’s new coat of mqlJ, put on for the occasion, took refuge upon 
the crupper of Fan, who benevolently consented to give the impudent little cavalier 
a mount. 

Our flamingo, who also desired to be of the party, put himself gravely at the 
tail of the caravan. He was a droll addition to our company, marching wide upon 
his stilts, and curving his long neck as he went. I think it right to say that he 
looked incontestibly the most reflective and self-satisfied of the whole troupe. 

Coasting the stream — Falcon-nest Stream — we fell into a most agreeable route. 
My wife and I walked slowly side by side. The boys ran on before, wandering now 
to the right and now to the left. 

Before long Ernest came running towards us, holding in his hand a stalk, 
from which depended three or four small balls of a light green colour, and crying 
Dut, ‘‘ Potatoes, papa ! I have found some potatoes ! ” 

I had no difliculty in pronouncing his judgment to be accurate, and I could 


94 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


not refrain from commending his spirit of inquiry and observation, which in this 
instance had resulted in the most important discovery we had made since our sojourn 
on the island. 

Ernest, in a glow of gratified excitement, pressed us to make all haste to a spot 
whence he would show us a larger potato-field than we had ever yet seen ; “ for,” 
said he, ‘‘ at the place where I gathered this stalk the whole plain is covered with 
potatoes.” 

We were not slow in making our way to this precious natural plantation. 
James at once threw himself upon his knees, and commenced grubbing up the 
earth to get at the potatoes. The monkey, leaping off Fan’s back, failed not to 
imitate its young master. In less than five minutes they brought to light between 
them a large quantity of excellent fruit, which Francis piled in heaps as fast as Nip 
and J ames threw them upon the ground. 

The whole of the potatoes thus obtained were stowed away in our bag, and wc 
resumed our journey, after carefully observing the situation of the field j for we had 
resolved to return next day and complete the harvest. 

We crossed the stream at the foot of a little chain of boulders, over which the 
water poured in the form of a cascade. Not only was the fall itself charming, but 
the view all around was as varied and beautiful as it was extensive. We might 
have fancied ourselves in a European hot-house, except that the flower-pots and the 
stages on which they stand were replaced by pile on pile of broken rocks, from 
whose fissures spramg plants of the most magnificent descriptions, both in beauty and 
dimensions. What are commonly called “grasses” were in especial abundance. 
There were also the Indian fig-tree, the aloe, the cactus, with its prickly stalk and 
flame-red bloom ; the plantain, with its long, sinuous arms endlessly interlaced ; and, 
though last not least, the anana, bearer of the most delicious of fruits. The boys, 
assisted by Ernest, quickly recognised the latter, and applied themselves to its 
appetising treasures with an avidity which I was obliged to repress. I feared they 
might make themselves ill. 

Among other plants, I lighted upon the karata, a kind of aloe, of which I 
gathered several sprigs. Showing them to the children, I said, “ See here ! I have 
found a treasure far superior to the anana, which you have been devouring so 
greedily.” 

“What!” cried James, with his mouth full, “those scrubby-looking bunches 
of leaves 1 Impossible ! There can be nothing there like the anana. The anana 
is the fruit for me.” 

“ Gluttonous boy !” I said, interrupting his panegyric, of which I saw by their 
looks the other boys highly approved ; “it’ is necessary that you should learn not 
to judge by appearances. See here, Ernest— you are the most sensible of the four 
—take this steel and the flint of my gun, and give me a light : I want on© 
particularly.” 


Sunday. 


95 


“But, father,” replied the young savant, looking perplexed, “*I have neither a 
sulphur match nor touchwood ; how am I to get a light 

How should we proceed,” exclaimed I, “if it was necessary to get a light at 
all hazards ?” 

“Well,” replied James, “I have heard that when savages are in a similar 
difficulty they procure a light by rubbing two pieces of wood together till they 
burn. I suppose we should have to do the same.” 

“ A tiresome and barren method for people not accustomed to so painful an 
exercise 1 ” I exclaimed. “ I think I may safely venture to tell you that you would 
have to rub for days without getting a single spark.” 

“ In that case,” said Ernest, I suppose we shall be compelled to search for 
touchwood.” 

“ Such a search,” said I, “ is superfluous.” And I took a dry twig of the 
karata, from which I peeled ofi* the bark and extracted the pith. Then I laid the 
pith upon the gun-flint, and struck it a smart blow with the steel. The first stroke 
set the substance on fire. 

“ Hurrah ! hurrah ! ” cried the children in astonishment, “ a touchwood tree ! 
a touchwood tree ! ” 

“ You are surprised thus far,” I said, “ but you have not yet seen half the 
usefulness that lies concealed beneath the bark of this wonderful plant.” 

As I spoke I stripped off one of the leaves, from which I drew out several 
lengths of a very strong though very fine thread. 

“ Keally,” said James, “ the karata is a far more valuable plant than I had 
supposed. But these thorny things that lie scattered all around us can be of no 
possible use.” 

“ You are altogether in the wrong,” I replied, “ in concluding so hastily 
that these are useless. The aloe, for instance, produces a juice which is 
very much used in medicine. Then there is the Indian fig, with its battledore- 
shaped leaves. This plant grows in the most arid soils, where, but for the timely 
succour of its fruit, many a weary traveller would be in danger of perishing by 
hunger.” 

At these words James dashed among the foliage to gather some of the fruit, 
which he was impatient to taste ; but the long prickles with which they were 
covered pierced his hands in all directions, and he returned crestfallen and crying, 
regarding the fig-tree with a look of unmitigated disgust. 

His mother hastened to remove the thorns from his fingers, and while she 
was thus employed I showed the other children how to pluck and eat the fruit 
without running so much risk. 

Having taken a short stick and pointed it, I stuck the sharp end into one of 
the figs, which I could then harmlessly skin with my knife. 

Ernest, who so soon as this was done examined the fruit attentively, 


96 


if 

The Swiss Family Robinson. 


ascertained that it was covered with myriads of small red insects, which appeared 
to be spending their time in sucking its juice. 

“Do look here, papa,^’ he said, “and tell me what these little creatures are. 
I think I know something about them, but I may be in error.” 

I at once recognised the cochineal, and exclaimed, “ Fortunate in the extreme ! 
"We have certainly lighted upon a day of discoveries. I am not sure, indeed, that 
this last is not the most precious that we have yet made, though to make proof of 
that we ought to be able to traffic with the people of Europe, who buy cochineal at 
a very costly rate, to make a scarlet dye.” 

“ However that may be,” said Ernest, “ we have at least found a second plant 
which is superior to the anana, of which we at first boasted so much.” 

“ You are right,” I replied, “and to prove it I will tell you of yet another use 
to which the Indian fig may be put. Its dense prickly leaves make excellent 
hedges to protect dwellings against the attacks of savages, and plantations against 
those of beasts of prey.” 

“What!” cried James, “these tender leaves serve the purpose of a barrier 
against animals ! Why, with the cut of a knife, or the stroke of a stick, I could 
demolish them at once.” 

With that he began to slash away vigorously at a large fig-tree. 

But one of its battledore-leaves struck his leg, and pierced him with its spikes 
till he roared again. 

“ Ah I ah ! ” laughed I. “ Do you understand now how it is that an enclosure 
of these trees may prove impregnable to half-clad savages, and to animals tha^ 
try to break through them with no other weapons but those furnished them by 
nature ? ” 

“We must plant a hedge of them round Falcon-nest,” said Ernest. 

“ And I think,” added Fritz, “ that we should collect as many cochineal insects 
as possible. Their red dye may be of use to us some day.” 

“ So far as I am concerned,” I said, “ I think it would be far wiser to confine 
ourselves to works of utility. The agreeable must be reserved for a future occasion, 
Master Fritz.” 

We continued our conversation, which became of a far graver character ; and 
during its course we were many times astonished at the judicious observations of 
Ernest. More than once his commendable readiness to ask questions and acquire 
knowledge put me under the necessity of confessing that I was not learned enough 
to answer him. 

I had not yet examined the captain’s library. I had locked it up in a box, 
being desirous to put nothing into the hands of the children until I knew it was 
suited to their tender years. Ernest often implored me to give him the ke}?" of his 
treasure ; but each thing had its time, and it was absolutely necessary, first of all, 
to achieve those labours which were the most pressing — those, namely, which had 


Si/jvda r . 


97 



DUCK-CATCHING. 


to do with our physical and material, rather than our mental and intellectual 
well-being. 

Arrived at Jackal Kiver, we crossed it without difficulty, and after a few 
minutes’ walk found ourselves at Undertent, where all remained in the order in 
which we had left it. 

Fritz furnished himself abundantly with powder and lead. I helped my wife 
to fill her tin flask with butter. The younger children endeavoured to catch the 
< lucks, which had become wilder than heretofore, and would not allow themselves 
to be approached. 

Ernest, determined to capture them, adopted a stratagem which succeeded to 
])erfection. To the end of a piece of string he attached a morsel of cheese, and let 
it float upon the water. The greedy birds soon .darted after the bait and swallowed 
it, and then Ernest had no difficulty in drawing them gently to the edge of the 
river. By dint of repeating this manoeuvre several times he made himself master 
of the rebels. Once taken, they were each tied up securely in a handkerchief, and 
thus enveloped were placed in our game-bags. 

We next took in a supply of salt from the cave, though we did not get so much 
as we wanted, for we were too heavily loaded already. 

We were even obliged to relieve Turk of his coat of mail, and make him for 
the time being a beast of burden. 

The redoubtable but scarcely useful cuirass was left in the tent. 


7 


98 


The Swiss Family Uobinsok. 


“ It is the same with armour as witli soldiers,” said Ernest — “ when there is no 
fighting to be done it is good for nothing.” 

We set out for Falcon-nest again. The laughter and fun prov'oked by the 
contortions of our feathery prisoners, and the comic aspect of our caravan, helped us 
to forgetfulness of the weight of -?ur burdens. It was not until the journey was 
ended that we felt fatigued. 

Our good housewife at once filled our pot with potatoes, and while we made up 
the fire slie milked the cow and the goat, in order to prepare for us our evening 
repast. 

Our table was soon spread. 

The expectation of a good supj^>er, and of partaking of the potatoes, which 
formed the dish of honour, kept us awake j but as soon as the meal was finished, 
the children were glad to retire to their hammocks. 

Their mother, who had been to assist them, returned to me laughing heartily 
in spite of her fatigue. 

“What do you think little Francis has just added to his prayers V* she said. 
“ I give you ten minutes to think.” 

“ Tell me in one, my love,” I replied, “ and as quickly as you can, or I shall 
be asleep before you utter it.” 

“Well,” she replied, “ these were his words after he finished his usual prayers : 

‘ I thank thee, O Lord, for having planted such good potatoes in this island for 
little Francis, and such large ananas for. my dear, greedy brother James ! ' And 
thereupon he fell fast asleep.” 

“And well said, too, my love,” I replied, kissing my wife and bidding her good 
night. “And be assured that his little thanksgiving is heard above. Even tho 
least of us can approacli the throne of God.” 

In a few minutes profound slumber fell upon our household. 


CHAPTER XII. 

THE SLEDGE. THE SALMON. THE KANGAROO. 

I HAD remarked during our journey to Undertent that the beach was covered with 
a quantity of pieces of wood, which I thought were suitable for the construction of 
a kind of sledge, with the assistance of which we might be able to transport such 
articles as were too heavy for the backs of our beasts. 

So I .set out at daybreak to bring some of them home, accompanied by Ernest 
and by the donkey, both of whom I was obliged to awaken, so soundly did they 
sleep. 

I had a design in taking Ernest with me. An early morning walk, I thought, 


The Sledge. 


09 


would be beneficial to a youth whose meditative habits rendered him, to some 
extent, physically indolent. 

The donkey drew behind him a large branch torn from one of the trees, veiy 
thick with twigs and leaves. I fancied I foresaw a use for this natural engine for 
haulaga 

“ Does it not go against the grain,” I said to Ernest, Avhen we were a little 
way on the road, “ to quit your hammock at this early hour when you were 
sleeping so soundly ? Do you not regret being deprived of the pleasure of having 
a shot at the pigeons and thrushes with your brothers ? ” 

“Oh, no,” he replied. “Now that I am up I am glad I did not lie longer. 
And as to the birds, no doubt my brother sportsmen will leave me a few ; for at the 
first shot they will be sure to drive away more than they kill.” ^ 

“ Why do you suppose that 1” I asked. 

“ Because, in the first place,” said he, they will forget to remove their bullets 
and replace them with small shot ; and in the second place, when they have dis- 
covered their error, they will shoot not from the stage round the house, but from 
the ground below, forgetting that the distance thence to the higher branches is too 
far for their guns to carry home.” 

“Your observations are very just, my boy,” I said seriously; “but would it 
nob have been more friendly on your part to tell your brothers these things 1 I 
should be glad in other ways, too, to see you less undecided in your doings, less 
apathetic ; for if there arc times when it is good to reflect and to act with prudence, 
there are other times when it is necessary to make quick resolves and to execute 
them with energy.” 

While I was still j)ointing out to my son that though meditation had its value, 
action was also of equal worth in its place, we arrived upon the beach. 

I found there plenty of poles and pieces of wood. AVe placed a number of 
them upon the branch of the tree, which, being thick with twigs and leaves, as I 
have already said, formed a primitive kind of truck. 

Among other things I lighted upon a closed chest, which, on reaching Falcon- 
nest, I broke open with a blow of my hatchet. It contained sailors’ clothes and 
some linen, soaked with sea-water. 

On nearing Falcon-nest, on our return, a well-sustained fusillade announced to 
us that sport was progressing merrily. But as soon as we were seen, the crackling 
of the musketry gave way to cries of joy, and the whole family came out to meet us. 

I had to excuse myself to my wife for having quitted her while she was asleep, 
without either telling her where I was going, or bidding her adieu. 

The sight of our stock of wood, and the prospect of a sledge fit to transport 
the remainder of our movables from IJndertent to Falcon-nest, w'erc sufficient, 
however, to silence the gentle reproaclies prepared for us, and we sat down to break' 
fast in the best of humours with ourselves and each other. 


L.o{ C. 


100 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


I examined into the results of our young sportsmen’s early exercises, and found 
them to consist of about four dozen birds, of which some Avere thrushes and some 
ortolans. I could not but observe that there was very little game, considering the 
enormous expenditure of powder and shot. 

In order to economise these munitions of war, which I was sensible we could 
not renew, I showed my young poachers how to make bird-snares, and place them 
in the branches of the trees. The thread of the karata served us for the manufac- 
ture of our gins. 

While James and Francis were 'employed in preparing the toils for our future 
supply of game, Fritz and Ernest assisted me in the construction of our sledge. 

We had not been at work long when w’^e were all distracted by a terrible uproar 
amongst the poultry. The cock made more noise than all his feathered companions 
together. 

]My wife went to see whether some bird or beast of prey was the cause of all 
the noise, but she encountered nothing but the little monkey, who was running 



A NATURAL ENGINE EOR HAULAGE.— 99 . 


swiftly towards the arched roots of the mangrove, under one of which he disappeared 
from sight. 

Curiosity led her to follow, and she was fortunate enough to come upon him 
just at the moment when he was breaking an egg and making ready to eat it. 

An investigation among the other roots, conducted by Ernest, revealed the fact 
that Master Nip had a large store of eggs in reserve. The cunning animal was, it 
appeared, very fond of this kind of nourishment, and his appetite had inspired him 
with the brilliant idea of stealing and hiding almost every egg that was laid. 

“ That explains at once,” said my wife, “ how it is that I have often heard 
the hens prating as if they had just laid, and yet have rarely been able to find an 

^oo* 

The little robber received correction, and it was decided that he should be 
deprived of his liberty during the time that the fowls usually laid. Our decision 
was a lucky one, for it so fell out that by watching Nip, whose imprisonment did 
not destroy his illicit tastes, we found a secret place where two of the hens laid in 
preference to seeking their own nests. 

When James, who had climbed up the tree to spread his snares, came down 



The Sledge. 


101 


again, he told us that the pigeons which we had brought away from the vessel were 
building a nest in the branches. 

I heard this news with pleasure, and forbade the boys thenceforth to fire into 
the tree, lest they should do injury to our confiding little lodgers. Moreover, I 
repented that I had started the idea of setting snares. But as the prohibition 
against firing into the tree excited a good deal of murmuring among our young 
sportsmen, who only saw in the measure an irritating attempt at economy, I did not 
forbid the preparation of the springes as I should otherwise have done. 

Little Francis came up to me with his habitual simplicity, to ask whether it 
was not possible to sow powder like wheat, and raise a crop which should leave his 
brothers at liberty to indulge in as much shooting as they pleased. 

We were intensely amused by his novel proposal — ^it revealed as much goodness 
as ignorance in the lad. 



ERNEST’S METHOD OP FEEDING CATTLE.— p. 102 . 


“My pretty Francis,” said Ernest, “powder is a manufactured article, not a 
natural production of the earth. It is made by mixing together nearly equal parts 
of powdered charcoal, sulphur, and saltpetre.” 

“Ah ! I did not know that,” replied Francis, never declining instruction when 
opportunity offered itself. “ I am much obliged to you for telling me. I shall not 
make such a mistake again.” 

Leaving the young philosopher, Ernest, to the pleasure of instructing his 
brother, I became so absorbed in the construction of the sledge, that my wife and 
the two younger boys had plucked a large number of birds before I well knew what 
they were doing. This proved to me that the snares had served their end properly. 

Our good housewife impaled all the birds they had plucked upon a long and 
slender sword which we had brought away from the wreck, and was preparing to 
put them down to roast. 

I complimented her upon her spit, but could not help remarking that she was 
cooking three times as many ortolans as we should eat for our dinner. 

She replied that she had understood me to remark, that we could preserve 
ortolans by half cooking them and keeping them in butter. 


102 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


I had nothing left to say but to praise her foresight. 

The sledge being nearly finished, I resolved to make another journey to 
XJndertent in the afternoon, and I told Ernest that I wished him to accompany me 
again, as he had done in the morning. I was determined if possible to dissipate 
his indolence and his timidity. 

Francis stopped for a moment, in order to put a question, which greatly 
enlivened our departure. 

“ Papa,” said he to me, “ Ernest tells me that our bodies are full of heat, and 
that this heat grows fiercer and fiercer with every movement we make. Is this 
true ? because if it is and I run very fast I shall burst into flames,” 

“Burst into flames ! Not at all, my dear child,” said 1; “you will only grow 
warmer. The limbs of little children — even those of strong men — are not capable 
of sufficient swiftness to produce fire. Be perfectly easy in your mind, therefore, 
and run as fast as you like : it will only warm, not burn you.” 

“ I am very glad to hear it,” said he gravelj'' ; “ I am very fond of running, 
and I was afraid that I dared not do it.” 

At the point of starting, Fritz presented us with a margay-skin sheath, which 
would either hold a knife and fork, or a small axe. I praised his ingenuity and 
industry; and having embraced the rest of the family, Ernest and I set out. 

The ass and the cow Avere harnessed to the sledge. Ernest and I, armed 
with a bamboo cane each to supply the i)lacc of whips, and carrying our guns 
slung to our backs, walked one on each side of our new conveyance. Fan fol- 
lowed us. 

We took the road leading by the stream, and after a journey entirely unmarked 
by adventure, we came to XJndertent. 

The beasts were detached and set free, while Ave loaded our sledge with the 
firkin of butter, a barrel of powder, bullets, cheese, and other provisions. 

We Avere so occupied Avith our work that Ave failed to see that the ass and the 
cow, attracted by the delicate herbage, had Avandered away as far as the bridge over 
Jackal Biver — being tempted that way, no doubt, by the delicious herbage on the 
other side. 

I dispatched Ernest to bring them back, telling him that in the meantime I 
should seek out a good place for bathing. I felt that a bath would refresh us both 
after the fatigue of the day. 

Thereupon, I went down to Deliverance Bay and soon succeeded in finding a 
place where the rocks rose in clusters from a bottom of fine sand, forming, so far as 
privacy was concerned, a long row of natural bathing-rooms. 

Before taking my bath I called Ernest several times, but could get no answer. 
Growing anxious about him, I Avent back to the tent and called again : still all was 
silent. I was just beginning to fear that he might have met with some serious 
accident, when I discovered him lying fast asleep under a tree, a little way from 


The Salmon. 


103 


the river. The cow and the ass were tranquilly cropping the herbage near where 
he lay. 

“ Idle boy ! ” I exclaimed. “ This is how you look after the cattle ! Do you 
not reflect that while you are sleeping, they may cross the bridge and lose them- 
selves on the other .side ? ” 

“ Oh dear, no ; there is no fear of that,” confidently replied the young sleeper, 
i-ubbing his eyes. “ I have taken several planks out of the bridge, and they cannot 
get across.” 

“So, .so!” I said ; "‘your idleness, I .see, has rendered you inventive. But in 
place of falling asleep as you have done, would it not have been much better to fill the 
donkey’s panniers with a supply of salt, for obtaining which, if I mistake not, your 
mother told you she would rely upon you ? Come, set to work at once, and when 
you have done come tor me behind the first jutting rock yonder, where I am going 
to bathe.” 

As I spoke, I pointed with my hand to the spot where I was going, and where 
he was to find me. 

I remained in the water something like half an hour, and then, as my young 
sa,lt-gatherer did not put in an appearance, I dressed myself and went to seek him, 
feeling pretty sure that he had again fallen asleep. I had scarcely gone a hundred 
steps when I heard him ci'ying out — 

“ Father ! father ! Pray come and help me ! Make haste, or he will drag 
me in I ” 

I ran, and soon came in sight of our young philosopher lying prone on the 
sand, not far from the mouth of the river, and holding with both hands a line, at 
the end of which an enormous fish was struggling with all its might. 

I came up just in time to spare the ambitious fisherman the anguish of seeing 
his magnificent capture escape him ; for he was breathless, and his strength was 
well-nigh exhausted. 

I took the string and drew the fish into a shallow, where it was easy enough to 
take him — especially after Ernest had waded into the water and stunned him with 
a blow of his axe. 

It was a salmon, weighing at least fifteen pounds. 

I complimented my son not only u2)on his luck or skill in fishing, but more 
especially upon the foresight which had led him to bring his tackle with him. 

While he took his turn at the bath, I opened the fish, and sprinkled it with 
salt to keep it fresh. I then packed it jn tlie sledge wfith some other fish of various 
sizes which Ernest had also caught and had tied up in his handkerchief. 

This done, I replaced the planks in the bridge ; and when my son returned, we 
harnessed the beasts and retraced our steps to Falcon-nest. 

We liad been walking about a quarter of an hour, and were making our way 
along the prairie, when all at once Fan dashed barking towards a clump of tall 


i04. 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 



THE FISHERMAN CAUGHT.—;?. 103 . 


grasses. Immediately there rushed out of the clump an animal nearly as large as a 
sheep, which made its way off, not by running, but by a series of extraordinary 
bounds. I fired — too hastily, however — and I missed. 

Ernest, warned by my shot, and being at the time nearer the fugitive than I 
was, fired also, and killed it on the spot. 

We hastened to examine the strange game which we nad thus bagged. 

The creature’s coat and muzzle were like those of the mouse, its ears like a 
rabbit’s, its tail like a tiger’s, its fore-legs very short, and its hind-legs excessively 
long. I examined it for a long time and could not tell what it was. 

As to Ernest, the pleasures of victory left him no time to make his accustomed 
investigations. He was wholly occupied with the important achievement of having 
killed the creature. 

“ Oh ! ” he cried, in an ecstacy, what will my mother and my brothers say 
when they see game of this size, and learn that it was I alone who killed it ? ” 

“Truly,” I said, “you have a good eye and a sure hand; but I should very 
much like to know the name of the animal. Let us make a minute examination of 
it, and perhaps Ave shall arrive at some ” 

Ernest interrupted me. 

“It has,” he said, “four incisor teeth, and therefore it must belong to the 
rodent order of animals.” 

“Well reasoned,” replied I; “but it also has a pouch below the breast, and 
that is a distinctive sign of the Marsupialia. And if I am not very much deceived. 



<6 

o 


THE MASQUERADE. 











106 


The Swiss Family Robinson. - 


I think we shall find ourselves the possessors of a female kangaroo, an animal 
unknown to naturalists until the discovery of New Holland by the celebrated 
Captain Cook, who was the first to examine and describe it. You may, therefore, 
flatter yourself that you have brought down an extraordinary head of game.” 

“ Father,” said the boy after a silent interval, “you seem very much pleased that 
I should have made so good a shot ; how is it that you are not vexed at missing 
the animal yourself ? ” 

“ Because,” said I, “ I love my child better than I do myself, and am more 
pleased at his success than I should be at my own.” 

“ My dear father ! ” he exclaimed, throwing himself into my arms and 
embracing me. 

The kangaroo was placed upon the sledge, and as we proceeded on our way I 
told Ernest all I knew about the animal, of its fore-legs which were too short, of 
its hind-legs which were too long, and of its tail which, as a kind of compensation 
for its inequalities of limb, served its purpose almost as well a fifth leg. 

As soon as the children left at Falcon-nest saw ns coming, they shouted for 
joy, and ran to meet us. As they came in sight we could not help laughing 
heartily : they were so comically attired. One was enveloped in a long white shirt ; 
the body of another was concealed up to the armpits in a jDair of huge blue trousers; 
the third was habited in a waistcoat which came down to his kneeSj and gave him 
the appearance of a walking portmanteau. 

Seeing them thus attired, walking towards us with the gravity and solemnity 
of theatrical heroes, I desired them to tell me the cause of this masquerade. 

They replied that during our absence their mother had thought it proper to 
wash their clothes, and that until these were dry, they had been obliged to dress 
themselves in what they could find among the contents of the chest which I had 
turned into a sledge. 

After we had minutely inspected and laughed long and loudly at their strange 
accoutrements, they passed round the sledge to examine its contents. 

Our housewife failed not to thank us warmly for the butter, the salt, and 
the fish we had brought ; but the attention of the children was concentrated 
wholly uj3on the salmon and the kangaroo, which Ernest exhibited with no little 
pride. 

James and Francis greeted the production of our captures with loud cries of 
admiration. Fritz was not so hearty in his congratulations, and I noticed that he 
regarded the salmon and kangaroo with no great favour. At the same time, I could 
see clearly enough that he was making a great effort to master the feeling of 
jealousy that had arisen in his mind. 

“ Father,” he said, coming up to me, “ may not I accompany you on your next 
excursion 1 ” 

“ You shall, my dear boy,” I said. And I added, in a low voice close to his 


A Skcond Voyage to the Vessel. 


107 


ear, “ If for no other reason than to reward you for the victory which I can see you 
have just gained over your passions.” 

He embraced me, and ran towards Ernest, whom he complimented sincerely 
upon his skill, thus testifying ' that the ardour of his character did no harm in the 
end to his innate goodness of heart. 

On the other hand, I noticed with jileasure the modesty of Ernest, who had 
the delicacy not to say a word about my having missed my mark in firing at the 
kangaroo. 

The sledge being unloaded, I made .a distribution of salt among the animals, 
who had gone without for some time, and enjoyed their feast immensely. 

The kangaroo was hung up ‘ to a neighbouring branch, and we sat down to a 
supper consisting of the small fish caught by Ernest, and a dish of potatoes. 

Night fell, and we retired to our acaial dwelling-place. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

A SECOND VOYAGE TO THE VESSEL. THE TURTLE. TAPIOCA. 

The next morning, very early, I called Fritz and told him that I desired him to 
accomjiany me again on a voyage to the wrecked vessel. 

My wife, who heard what I said, was much terrified, as I had foreseen she 
would be, by the new dangers which she conceived we were about to encounter 

I again appealed to her reason, pointing out that it would be almost sinful in 
us to abandon, for the want of a little courage, the thousand useful articles which 
still remained upon the wreck. 

I then descended from the tree and employed myself in denuding the kangaroo 
of his beautiful grey skin. The flesh I divided into two portions — the one to be 
eaten fresh, the other to be salted for future use. 

We breakfasted, and after the repast I told Fritz to furnish our game-bags 
with food and our gourd-bottles with drink, and to make ready such arms as we 
should require to take with us. 

As we were setting out, I called Ernest and James, to whom I desired to give 
some instructions as to the employment of their time during our absence. As 
neither of them replied, I asked my wife if she had any idea as to what had become 
of them. 

She replied that in all likelihood they had gone to dig potatoes ; indeed, she 
had some indistinct recollection that they had expressed an intention to do so. 

I noticed that they had taken Turk with them, and felt satisfied. We set 
cut without waiting for their return, leaving Fan at Falcon-nest.' 

When we reached the bridge across Jackal River, we were startled by hearing 


108 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


loud bursts of laughter at no great distance from us, and in a few moments we saw 
Ernest and James come out from behind a bush, seeming to be highly diverted with 
the trick they had played us. 

I scolded them severely for straying so far from home without my knowledge. 

They assured me that they intended no disobedience, but had acted in the way 
they had done in the hope that I would permit them to accompany me and Fritz 
to the vessel.* 

I gave them to understand that the thing was impossible j in the first place, 
because their mother would grow very anxious when she found they did not return 
as she expected ; and, in the second, because their presence in the tub-boat -would 
be far more embarrassing than useful. Thereupon I sent them home again, bidding 
them tell their mother that, in place of returning home in the evening, Fritz and I 
would most likely be compelled to pass the night upon the vessel. 

I had not been able to summon ujo the requisite courage to make known this 
determination to my wife when I quitted her. 

“Try your best,” I said to them, “to be home by ‘noon. And,” I added, 
addressing Fritz, “in order that your brothers may have no excuse for saying that 
they did not know how time went, give Ernest your watch. You will find another 
upon the vessel, and you can also bring one for James.” 

Without entreating me further, the two youngsters retraced their steps to 
Falcon-nest. 

Soon afterwards our tub-boat was drifting swiftly with the current towards 
the vessel, which we reached without accident. 

My first care was to seek for materials with which to construct a raft, upon 
which, in accordance with a plan laid down by Ernest on the preceding evening, 
we could bear to land a much heavier load than our boat was capable of carrying. 

I had the good fortune to find between decks a large quantity of empty water- 
casks. We picked out a dozen of them, which we fastened together with pieces of 
wood, strongly nailed to the tub-staves. I then made a flooring of planks, and 
surrounded the whole with a handrail about two feet high. 

This work occupied us during the greater part of the day. At all events, when 
we had finished it, it was too late to hope to return to land with our new con- 
struction properly loaded. 

This being so, we determined to make a tour of inspection all over the vessel, 
and take an inventory of what we judged it best to carry ashore. We then retired 
to the captain’s cabin, and after a frugal repast, the sweet restorer — sleep — overtook 
us as we lay at full length upon a couple of excellent mattresses. 

The next morning at daybreak we were afoot, refreshed by our night’s rest 
and in good health and spirits. 

We at once set about loading our boats. The apartment in which we had 
slept was the first to be stripped. Our second visit was made to the cabin we had 


A Second ' Voyage to the Vessel. 


109 



A USEFUL TURTLE.— p. IIC. 


ourselves occupied during our unfortunate voyage. I brouglit from thence every- 
thing that was useful or had an interest for us as a souvenir of by-gone days. 
The other cabins we took in turn. 

Locks, bolts, Avindow-fastenings, the windows themselves, even the doors were 
taken off and made ready for transport. Two trunks abundantly furnished with 
necessaries Avere among the booty ; but Avhat gaA^e me the greatest pleasure of all 
Avas, to find two larger chests, one filled Avith carpenter’s tools, and the other with 
those of a gunsmith. A casket containing gold and silver Avatches, snuff-boxes, 
rings, and other A'aluables dazzled us for an instant j but our attention was soon 
drawn more seriously towards a large store of oats, peas, and maize, and a number 
of European fruit-trees, which Avere carefully preserved for planting on the distant 
continent to Avhich the doomed vessel Avas directing her course Avhen she Avas 
Avrecked. 

I gazed Avith tenderness upon these productions of my OAvn dear fatherland — 
the pear-trees, the cherry-trees, and the vine-slips — and I promised myself the 
pleasure of endeaAmuring to acclimatise them upon our island 

But Avhat Avas our joy to find, besides these, a stock of iron-bars, Avheels, pick- 
axes, and spades, and above all a hand-mill ! Nothing Avhich could be of use in a 
young colony had been forgotten in fitting out this vessel Avhich Avas to have borne 
us to the New World. We could not bear everything away. A coffer full of coin 
scarcely attracted our attention. Of what value was money to us Avhen compared 
Avith the rude implements which would supply our first necessities? From the 


110 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


jewellery casket we took tlie two watches which we had promised to the younger 
children, and from the coin-chest a handful of coins : it was all we removed of 
that which is conventionally called valuable. 

Fritz begged me to let him take a fishing-net, a pair of harpoons, and a reel of 
line which he found by chance. 

I gave him permission. 

Our loading occupied us half the day. At length the time for setting out for 
the shore arrived. It was not Avithout considerable difficulty that we got our over- 
charged boats in motion. Happily a favourable Avind came to our aid, filling the 
sail that I had spread. 

I Avas at the helm. The sail, bellied Avell to the breeze, prevented me from 
seeing Avhat Fritz Avas doing in the fore part of the vessel. All at once I heard the 
Avhistling of the reel of line as it ran swiftly out of the boat. 

“ Great heaven, Fritz ! ” I cried ; “ Avhat are you doing ? ” 

“ Struck ! struck ! ” cried he, in a transport of joy. “ She can never escape 
that ! ” 

His exclamations referred to an enormous turtle which lie had perceiA'cd 
sleeping upon the surface of the Avater, and had bravely and adroitly harpooned. 

The animal, pierced in the neck, darted off, draAving our boat after it ai} a 
terrific speed. 

I struck sail hastily, and rushed to tlie prow of the vessel to cut the line of the 
harpoon ; but Fritz entreated me not to permit so splendid a prey to escape, 
assuring me that he Avould cut the line himself if Ave found ourselves in the least 
danger. 

Thus conducted by the animal, Ave cut through the Avater Avith incredible 
swiftness, and I had the greatest difficulty in handling the rudder in such a manner 
as to neutralise the effects of the strange motion Avhich our singular tug gave to the 
A'essel. Perceiving at length that the turtle Avas directing his course towards the 
open sea, I hoisted sail again. The Avind Avas blowing in-shore, and the animal^ 
finding the resistance too great, changed his course and swam landwards. 

We touched the bottom Avithin gunshot of the shore, opposite Falcon-nest. I 
leapt into tlie sea Avith the intention of finishing the turtle Avith my axe, but the 
creature had run head first into the sand, and AA^as stranded. At the first stroke of 
the axe I seA^ered its head from its body. 

Fritz, delighted beyond measure at his achievement, fired a gun to adA^ertise 
the family of our return, and in a few moments they Avere all running doAvn to the- 
beach to meet us. 

With Avhat transports, Avith Avhat caresses Avere we received ! 

My Avife scolded me gently for remaining so long aAvay, and especiallv for 
concealing from her my intention to remain a night on the A’essel. 

Then Fritz told the story of the turtle. 


The Turtle. 


Ill 


His motlier trembled as she heard the record of the danger to which we had 
been exposed ; and all expressed their admiration at the skill Fritz had displayed 
in taking such excellent aim at the precise part of the animal which, as Ernest 
explained, was always })rotected by the carapace, or vaulted back- shell of the animal, 
except when its wearer was asleep. 

The two younger children were sent up to Falcon-nest to fetch the beasts of 
burden, with which they soon returned, having in the meantime harnessed them to 
the sledge. Upon this primitive means of transport we placed our mattresses and 
the turtle, which together weighed somewhere about three quintals : it required our 
united strength to lift them. The remainder of the cargo was carried up the beach 
beyond the reach of the tide, and oiv tub-boat and raft were anchored by means of 
large lumps of lead buried in the sand. 

During the walk to Falcon-nest the children overwhelmed us with questions. 
The jewellery casket, of which Fritz had spoken, specially excited their curiosity. 
James claimed his watch : little Francis made himself hapj)y with a purse full of coin. 

“ Do you intend to sow your money and reap a golden harvest, little man ? ” I 
asked, smiling. 

“ Ho, papa,” replied he. I intend to save it to buy gingerbread at the next 
fair.” 

His simplicity caused us to laugh heartily. 

Arrived at Falcon-nest, I at once set to work to remove the turtle from its 
shell. Then I cut off some steaks from its flesh, which I desired my wife to broil 
for supper. 

“ Let me first remove this green stuff which lies on each side of it,” said she. 

“ Ho, my love,” replied I ; “ that is the fat, which is the most savoury part of 
the meat.” 

“Dear papa,” said James, “do give me the shell.” 

Each of the children claimed it in turn. 

“ Ho,” said I, “ it belongs by right to Fritz. He cauglit the fish.” 

Being curious, however, to know what each of them would use it for if he had 
it, I addressed myself first to James. 

He declared that he would make a graceful little boat of it, to navigate the 
stream with. 

Ernest, thinking first of all of his own personal safety, said that if it were his 
he should turn it into a shield whei’ewith to protect himself against the savages, 
should they ever attack us. 

Little Francis was for building a small house for himself, of which the shell 
was to be the roof. 

h'ritz alone had given no counsel on the matter. 

“AVell, my dear Fritz,” said I, “how do you propose to make use of your 
caxuoace ? ” 


ii2 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


THE sow’s FEAST.— p. 113. 



“ I think,” he said, “ that I should make a tank of it, so that my mother could 
always have a supply of fresh water without going down to the stream for it.” 

“ An excellent idea,” I cried, “ and one which must be put into execution as 
soon as we can find some clay to set our tank in.” 

“ Clay ! ” exclaimed J ames. “ Why, I found a large mass of it beneath one of 
the roots of our tree this morning.” 

“ So much the better,” I said. “ Under what part of the tree did you find it ? ” 

“ Close by the little hillock to the right there,” said my wife. “ And he so 
soiled his clothes in finding it, that I have been obliged to wash them all again.” 

“ It was not my fault, mother,” replied the giddy- witted fellow. “ The soil 
v/as so slippery that I fell down, and it was to my fall alone that I owed my 
discovery.” 

“ That is another matter,” said my wife. “ As I understood your story this 
morning, I thought you owed vour discovery less to chance than to intelligent 
research.” 

“ When the tank is put in its place,” said Ernest, assuming his scholarly air, 
“ I shall take leave to set some roots in it which I have found to-day. They appear 
to me to be a species either of the common radish or of horse-radish. The plant at 
first sight appears to be rather a shrub than a herb ; but I have not yet ventured to 
taste it, although the sow has eaten of it and seems to enjoy it.” 

“ You have acted with prudence, my son,” said I ; ‘‘ and I cannot remind you 



Tapioca. 


113 



too often that that which is injurious to man may in many cases be eaten bene^ 
ficially by animals. Show me these roots, and tell me how you came by them.” 

“ As I was roaming round the neighbourhood,” he said, ‘‘ I came upon the 
sow, who was grubbing up the earth near a thicket. I went nearer, and found that 
she was making a rich feast of certain large roots, some of which I brought away : 
here they are.” 

After examining them carefully : “ If I am not mistaken,” I said, ‘‘ you have 
made a most valuable discovery, which, added to the potato-field, will always 
preserve us from famine. I believe I recognise in these roots those of the tapioca 


THS ATTACK ON THE PENGUINS.— p. 117. 

plant, with which the Indians of the West make a species of bread called cassava. 
But in order to be put to this use, it is necessary that the root should undergo a 
process which shall remove from it a certain poisonous substance that it contains.” 

This conversation did not prevent us from setting vigorously to work to unload 
the sledge. 

As soon as this was done, I made another jornmey to the beach to bring up a 
second load before nightfall. My wife remained behind, in company with little 
Francis, who never disdained to play the jmrt of scullion, being well assured by 
previous experience that he would become the possessor of some choice tit-bit during 
the preparation of the meal. I told his mother and him in setting out that we 
expected to reap the reward of our labours in a right royal feast. 

During our journey to the beach, Fritz asked me if our turtle was not of that 




114 


The Swiss Family Robinson, 


valuable species whose shell was used in the manufacture of snuff-boxes and other 
objects of art, and if it would not damage it to make a tank of it. 

I told him that the turtle of which he spoke was a variety whose flesh was 
not good to eat ; and to the best of my knowledge I pointed out to him the various 
processes by which the valuable part of the shell, which is transparent, was re- 
moved and rubbed until it received a most brilliant polish. 

Arrived at the raft, the sledge was loaded with a mass of articles, of which the 
hand-mill, by reason of the discovery of the tapioca-root, appeared to me to be by 
far the most useful. 

As we were returning to Falcon-nest, my wife came to 
meet us, and smilingly said, “ You have had two days of 
painful labour ; in order to refresh you, I offer you a drink 
which you did not think to And here. Come and see 
whence flows this desirable fountain.” 

I followed my wife and saw, at the foot of a small fig- 
tree, a barrel half buried in the earth and v^oncealed beneath 
thick foliage. 

“I fished this up out of the sea to-day,” she said ; “and 
Ernest is of opinion that it is Canary wine. I hope, for 
your sake, that he is right.” 

I made a hole in the barrel, and by means of a straw I 
ascertained that Ernest had not been deceived. A pleasant 
warmth immediately overspread my whole body. 

While I was thanking my wife, the children sur- 
rounded us and entreated me' to allow them to taste this 
precious nectar. I permitted them to do so, but they dis- 
played so much thirst, that I was obliged to withdraw the 
straw. Indeed, I had to scold them. I feared that the too 
generous wine would ascend to their brains. 

At my reprimand they retired in confusion. I soon set them at their ease, 
however, by requesting them to assist me in raising into the tree, by the aid of the 
pulleys, the mattresses which we had brought from the wreck. 

This labour achieved, my wife called us to supper. 

Fritz’s turtle, excellently cooked, was enjoyed by all of us. 

“ It’s an ugly brute, is that turtle,” said little Francis as he went to his new 
bed, “ but it was very nice to eat — eh, J ames ? ” 

James was fast asleep. 

Our mattresses had done their work. 



Third Voyage to the Vessel. 


115 


CHAPTER XIV. 

THIRD VOYAGE TO THE VESSEL. — A DISCOVERY. — THE PENGUINS 

Not feeling at all satisfied about the safety of the raft and tub-boat, which were 
simply made fast to the beach with leaden weights, I got up before daybreak, deter- 
mined to pay them a visit. 

All my family were buried in a profound sleep. 

I descended softly from the tree. The dogs were already awake, and began 
gambolling round me, and giving every sign of pleasure, as if they understood as 
well as I that I had determined upon an excursion. The chickens, beating their 
wings joyously, quitted their perch. The goats were already browsing the fresh 
morning herbage. 

The donkey, whom I had determined to take with me, still lay extended at his 
ease. Much to his displeasure, I made him get up, and harnessed him alone to the 
sledge. I did not wish to fatigue the cow before she had been milked. 

Accompanied by the two dogs I then set out for the beach. 

I found our. craft perfectly safe, left high and dry upon the sand by the tide 
which had now gone down. I did not load the donkey heavily, being desirous both 
to keep him fresh for further work during the day, and to return myself as soon as 
possible to Talcon-nest. 

What' was my astonishment, on reaching the tree, to find nobody about, 
although the sun was already high in the heavens ! I took a stick and began beat- 
ing the metal vessels furiously, producing uproar enough to make the family believe 
that we were invaded by savages. 

In a few moments my wife made her appearance upon the gallery, not a little 
confused at having so far forgotten herself as to lie so long after sunrise. As I went 
up to meet her, “ It is,” she said, “ the magic power of the mattress that has kept 
me so long asleep. The poor children are in . the same plight — they can hardly 
open their eyes.” 

On looking in upon the young sleepers I found them yawning and stretching 
themselves, and little disposed to leave their beds. 

“ Come ! ” I cried out in a loud voice, get up ! get up ! No idleness, 
boys ! ” 

Fritz was the first to rise. Ernest came last of all. His manner showed how 
reluctantly he had parted from his mattress. 

“ Is it possible,” I asked, “ that you are idle enough to allow yourself to be 
beaten even by. little Francis?” 

“ Oh, dear ! ” said he, yawning again and stretching his arms; ‘‘it is so pleasant 
to go to sleep again after one has been awakened ! I often wish that somebody 


116 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


would call me every morning two hours before daybreak, so that I might enjoy the 
sweet sensation of turning over and falling into a second slumber.” 

What a refinement of idleness ! ” I cried. “ If you abandon yourself thus to 
indolence, my poor boy, you will come to be a man destitute both of energy and of 
courage.” 

As I saw him making an effort to throw off his torpor, I said no more. 

Meanwhile the whole family joined in a chorus of commendation concerning 



THE TURTLE.— J). 114 . 


the virtues of mattresses as compared with hammocks. The old friends were 
discarded for the new. 

We made a hasty breakfast, and hurried off to the beach to finish hauling Tip 
the things that remained there. 

Two journeys were made in a very short time ; and as I saw that the rising 
tide was then beginning to cover the beach, I determined to take advantage of it to 

float our craft round into Deliverance Bay, 
where they would be safer than on the 
coast of Falcon-nest. 

I sent my wife and the three younger 
Doys home, and waited with Fritz in the 
tub-boat till the rising tide set us afloat. 

Seeing James, who remained behind 
upon the beach, looking at our operations 
with longing eyes, I put the top-stone to 
his enjoyment by taking him with us. 

We were soon rocking pleasalitly upon the waves, and seduced by the fairness 
of the weather, in place of steering towards Deliverance Bay, I sailed once more 
towards the wreck. 

But when we got there it was too late to think of carrying away anything like 
a large or an important cargo. 

Nevertheless, we explored the vessel in every direction, as much for the 



JAMES AND HIS BARROW.—;?. 117 . 


Third Voyage to the Vessel. 


117 


purpose of getting things ready to bring away another time, as to avoid going back 
quite empty-handed. 

James soon made his appearance wheeling a barrow, and smiling complacently 
at the thought that for the future he would not have to carry burdens so heavy as 
had been the case heretofore. 

Fritz ran to tell me that he had found in a part of the ship partitioned off from 
the rest by boards a pinnace, carefully taken to pieces and stored away, with all its 
rigging complete, and a couple of cannon to mount in case of necessity. 

This news caused me inexpressible joy, and I left everything else to verify 
Fritz’s communication. He had not been deceived, but I saw that it wmuld involve 
an immense deal of labour to put our new-found craft to sea. 

We put off this task till another day, being content for the present to take 
away with us a few articles for household use, such as copjDers, kettles, saucepans, 
iron trays, plates, glasses, and so on. I added to these a few nutmeg-graters, a 
grindstone, a fresh barrel of powder, and a new supply of gun-flints. Hot only did 
we not forget James’s barrow, but we took several others, the discovery of which 
was almost as agreeable to Fritz and me as was the first one to James. 

It was necessary to embark in haste, in order that we might not be met by a 
shore wind, which rose every night, and which might carry us out to sea. 

While we were rowing towards the land, we saw standing upon the edge 
of the sea a troop of little creatures looking like diminutive human beings dressed in 
white. They appeared to be regarding our movements with the utmost curiosity, 
and, as one might fancy, were holding out their arms towards us fraternally. 

“Are we in the country of the Pigmies ? ” said I to James laughingly. 

“ Or in that of the Lilliputians 1 ” returned James. 

“It seems to me,” said Fritz, “that we have before us simply a regiment of 
birds, for I can see their beaks ; and what we have taken for their arms are, without 
doubt, their wings.” 

“You are right, my boy,” I said; “these fantastic beings are penguins. They 
can swim very well, and that is all. Nature has given them wings so short in 
comparison to the size of their bodies, that they cannot fly very well. Their feet 
are so strangely formed that they cannot walk far. It is therefore very easy to 
come up with them on land ; and such is their natural indolence, that they will 
scarcely make an effort to get away.” 

When we were within a few pulls of the shore, James, armed with an oar, 
unexpectedly jumped into the water, and before the penguins were well aware of 
his arrival had knocked several of them over. The others, not finding this salute 
much to their liking, plunged into the water all together, as if at the word of 
command, and disappeared. 

Those who had been stunned by James’s attack were tied together by us and 
deposited upon the beach. 


118 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


It was too late now to proceed with the unloading of our cargoes. We simply- 
placed upon our barrows the penguins, some tobacco, and a few cooking utensils, 
and drove off with them to Falcon-nest, where, as usual, we were received with the 
liveliest demonstrations of joy. 

Our dogs welcomed us with enthusiastic barkings. My wife was delighted to 
see the barrows, the contents of which were the subject of considerable curiosity. 
The nutmeg-graters excited a little pleasant irony, which I affected not to notice. 
The penguins especially were very carefully examined. Several of them had by 
this time recovered from the effect of the blows dealt them by James, and these I 
liied to the ducks and the geese, in order to accustom them to domestication among 
the other poultry. 

Our vigilant housewife, in her turn, showed me a plentiful supply of potatoes 
and tapioca-root, which had been dug during my absence. 

Little Francis now approached me, saying with an air of mystery, “ You will 
be surprised one of these days, papa. We shall have a harvest of maize and oats, 
and plenty of pumpkins and melons. Mamma has sown such a quantity ! ” 

“ Naughty little chatterer ! ” cried my wife. “ Why have you betrayed me ? 
I was counting upon giving your father a pleasant surprise.” 

“ Again I have to thank you for your forethought, my love,” I said, embracing 
her. “ But where did you get all these different seeds from 2 ” 

“ Once more the enchanted bag,” she replied, smiling and looking fondly at the 
children, who this time did not contest the foresight of their wise mother. Seeing 
you were always occupied with your voyages to the wreck, I thought you would not 
find time to lay out a kitchen-garden for us ; so I determined to do it myself. I 
chose our newly-found potato-field for a site, and I have had no harder work to do 
than to fill the place of every root we have pulled up with the seed of some other 
plant.” 

I felicitated her upon this excellent idea, and Fritz attempted to add to her 
pleasure by announcing the discovery of the pinnace. But our sea voyages caused 
my dear wife too much real alarm to leave her free to rejoice in the discovery of a 
means by which we should be able to extend them. 

Nevertheless, she gave in a little when I showed her that, since these voyages 
must be made, it would be much better to make them in a sea- worthy vessel, than 
in the wretched tub-boat and raft which we had ourselves constructed. 

Night fell. In giving the word for bed, I told my sons to hold themselves 
ready to be taught a new trade on the morrow. 


Baking. 


119 


CHAPTER XV. 

BAKING. 

As soon as they were awake, the children, full of curiosity to know the meaning of 
my last words on the j^revious evening, hastened to ask me what was the new trade 
which I was about to teach them. 

“ The trade of the baker,” I replied. 

“ But,” cried James, “ we have neither an oven nor flour ! ” 

“We shall get our flour,” I replied, “from the tapioca-roots; and as to the 
oven, we shall supply its place with some of the iron utensils which we brought from 
the wreck yesterday.” 

As I saw from their astonished looks that they required fuller details, I 
explained to them the properties of the tapioca-root, and the use made of it by 
people who were not yet civilised. 

I then told my wife to make me a bag of sail-cloth, while each of the boys, 
furnished with one of the nutmeg-graters, awaited my instructions to enter upon his 
unknown task. The roots had been carefully washed, and I distributed them among 
my young millers to be grated. 

They set to work with ardour — not without laughing a good deal at their new 
occupation — and we soon had a large quantity of flour that looked like damp saw- 
dust. 

“ See, here is a splendid dish of bran ! ” said Ernest laughingly, but without 
pausing in his work. 

“ It is the first time I ever heard talk of making bread of radishes,” added 
James. 

My wife herself did not seem to be very confident in my talent as a baker, for 
I noticed that after finishing the bag I had asked her for, she put a supply of 
potatoes upon the fire, to provide against my possible non-success. Knowing what 
I was about, I did not allow myself to be disconcerted by her evident doubts. 

“ Come, cease your pleasantries, young gentlemen,” said I to the little mockers. 
“ Depend upon it, you will not fail to do justice to my batch when it is baked. 
Tapioca constitutes the chief nourishment of several peoples in the New World, and 
there are even Europeans who prefer it to wheaten bread. However, I do not 
promise you to-day cakes that are well raised, but I will give you some sample 
loaves 'which shall teach you to appreciate the nutritive properties of tapioca — that 
is, if the kind we have been fortunate enough to find is that which I think it is.” 

“ Are there several kinds of tapioca then ^ ” asked Ernest. 

“ There are reckoned to be three,” T replied. “ Two of them, eaten raw, are 
very injurious. The third is altogether innocuous. But the two others are pre- 
ferred, because they produce more abundantly and ripen sooner.” 


120 


The Swiss Family Bobinsoh. 



MAKING FLOUR.— 25. 119, 

‘‘Wliat!” cried James, “tlie injurious plant preferred to that which is harmless! 
How very foolish ! So far as I am concerned, I do not think I shall trouble myself 
to return thanks beforehand for poison-cakes.” 

“ Keassure yourself, you little giddyhead,” I replied ; “ all we have to do is to 
squeeze our flour well before using it, and then there will be nothing to fear in the 
eating of it.” 

“ Why squeeze it ? ” asked Ernest. 

“ To clear it of its poisonous qualities, which exist only in its juice,” I replied. 

When once this poison is extracted, nothing remains but the most delicious and 
health-giving nourishment. However, by way of making quite sure about it, we 
will not taste our cakes till we have tried them upon the monkey and the poultry.” 

“ But,” cried James, with a touch of anxiety in his voice, “I have no desire to 
see poor Nip poisoned even as an experiment.” 

“ Fear nothing,” I replied. “ It is not the first time that your favourite has 
been made use of in virtue of the peculiar instinct with which nature has endowed 
him ; and I can assure you that if the food we propose to give him contains poison, 
he will either refuse to touch it, or at all events reject the first mouthful.” 

Eeassured by my words, J ames again took up the grater, which he had let fall 
in horror at the ^prospective fate of his monkey, and set to work with a will. 

I soon announced to my young labourers that our supply was plentiful enough. 

The wet flour was then put into the bag which my wife had made, and we tied 
fche mouth of it up tightly. In order to press it, I placed some planks close by one 



THE riNNACE.— p. 12G. 



132 


The Swiss Family Bobinsoh. 


of the arched roots of the tree, laid the bag between them, and thrust a strong beam 
under the root in such wise that it lay over the uppermost plank. On the end of 
the beam farthest from the root I placed stones, iron, and' other heavy articles, and 
thus produced the effect of a powerful lever. Yery soon we saw the juice oozing 
from the bag abundantly. 

The youngsters were in ecstacies at the success of my invention, and as soon as 
the juice had ceased to run, they begged me to proceed instantly with the making of 
the bread. 

I cooled their ardour by announcing that I should only make one cake that day, 
to be tested upon the animals. 

I spread the flour in the sun to dry. Afterwards I took a small quantity of it, 
which I moistened with water and carefully kneaded. Then I made a cake in the 
shape of a roll, which I laid upon one of our iron dishes, and placed upon a brisk 
Are. In a very short time we had a bun, of which the colour and the agreeable 
odour held out the promise of a rich treat. 

I was obliged to use all my authority to prevent the boys from eating it there 
and then, without going through the preliminary experiment upon Nip. 

“ How delicious it smells ! ” cried Ernest. ‘‘ It is a shame not to be able to eat 
it to-day ! ” 

“A little bit, father!” pleaded James. 

“About as large as that,” added Francis, marking off a half-inch on his little 
finger. 

‘‘ Greedy children ! ” I said ; “ the poison, then, aoes not frighten you now '? I 
believe honestly that we might make the trial without danger ; but, all things 
considered, it would be more prudent, perhaps, to take the opinion of Nip on the 
point.” 

When the cake had cooled sufficiently^ I crumbled it before the monkey and 
the fowls, and I was glad to see that they ate it up with avidity. Nevertheless, I 
delayed for the present trying the same experiment on ourselves. 

A good dinner of potatoes appeased the fierce appetite which the savoury smell 
of the cake had awakened in the boys. 

During the repast, the conversation naturally turned upon our new invention. 

I told my children that tapioca-bread was vulgarly known as cassava. I entered upon 
a long dissertation concerning poisons, endeavouring to render my toxological dis- 
course as simple as possible. I especially put them on their guard against the 
Manchineal, which I said was very likely to be found on the island. I described 
it to them very minutely, in order that they might not be tempted by the attractive 
appearance of its dangerous fruit. I ended my exhortations by warning them, for 
the hundredth time, to eat nothing of which they did not know the nature and 
properties. 

After dinner, we went to visit the poultry. To our great relief we found them 


The Pinnace. 


123 


as lively as ever; while the grotesque gambols of Master Nip at our approach 
showed us that his health and spirits had undergone no alteration for the worse. 

Thereupon I again ordered the boys to the task of bread-making. 

“ To work ! to work ! ” I cried. “ Let us see how we shall succeed in our 
second attempt.’’ 

I distributed to each the utensils of which he had need. They all danced 
for joy. In an instant the fires were lighted, the temporary kneading-troughs 
established in their places.. Cakes were soon turned out in every conceivable 
shape, for youth makes sport of everything. Ranged upon iron trays, they were 
placed on the fire, and removed as soon as they were baked, to make way for a fresh 
supply. 

As our fowls still remained in excellent health, I no longer had any hesitation 
in allowing the children to taste our new food. It was found excellent, especially 
when crumbled in milk. 

Never since we had been cast ashore on this desert island had we made so 
delicious a repast. Our animals were delighted sharers in the feast, being supplied 
with such of the cakes as had been burnt or badly made. 

The remainder of the day was spent in transporting, upon our barrows, the 
things that had been left upon our craft on the beach. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

THE PINNACE. 

I HAD not once ceased to think of the pinnace which Fritz had found upon the 
wreck, nor had I given up my intention to take possession of apd utilise it. 
Although my wife was seriously alarmed at the bare mention of a new voyage, 
I contrived to overcome her scruples, and at length succeeded in obtaining her 
concurrence in a plan I had formed for making one more journey in the tub-boat, 
and taking with me the three elder children ; for I knew that as many arms as 
we could bring to the spot would be necessary for our contemplated enterprise. 

After promising her to return the same evening, and furnishing ourselves 
with a plentiful supply of tapioca, bread, and baked potatoes, as also our- cork 
swimming-belts, in case of accident, we set sail once more upon the waters of 
Deliverance Bay. 

As soon as we reached the wreck, our first care was to make a collection of 
whatever seemed to us to be the most useful, in order that we might not return 
empty at night. The pinnace was then examined. I found with the utmost 
satisfaction that all its parts were numbered, and that, little as we were skilled in 
the craft of ship-building, we should be able, with patience, to put them together. 


124 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


The greatest difficulty I had to face was that of getting the vessel into the sea 
when we had put it together. I saw no prospect of launching it^ from the place 
where it was stowed away, and I equally saw no means at hand for getting its 
heavier Avoodwork transported to a more commodious part of the vessel. Some of 
the beams were so large that, as I foresaw, our united strength would be insuffi- 
cient to stir them. I thought over the matter a long time, pausing over plan 
after plan, only to abandon each as soon as its difficulties grew upon me. 

At length, overwhelmed with incertitude, I determined to leave the result with 
Providence, and called my boys to aid me Avith their hatchets in removing the 
partitions of the room in which the pinnace was enclosed. 

The evening came upon us before we had adA^anced far with our task ; but the 
desire to possess a convenient vessel sustained our ardour, and we made up our minds 
to return on the morrow and finish our work. 

Counting upon our promise, my wife, accompanied by little Francis, awaited 
us upon the beach. 

She announced to me that .she had determined to quit Falcon-nest, and take 
uj) her residence at UndertCnt during the continuance of our voyages to the wreck. 
I was pleased to witness the attachment she displayed for our first residence on the 
island, in thus choosing to reinhabit it during our absence. We presented her Avith 
the new store of provisions we had brought with us, among which Avere tAvo firkins 
of salt butter, three of flour, some sacks of rice and wheat, and several household 
utensils, all of which she accepted Avith tearful pleasure. 

Our voyages to the wreck were continued daily for at least a week. 

We set out each morning at daybreak, and did not return till sundown. 
A joyous repast, followed by a long conversation, caused us to forget the fatigues 
of the day. 

At length we brought the construction of the pinnace to an end. She was 
light in build and elegant in shape, with a little quarter-deck in the prow, and 
rigging complete. We had tarred her outside, and even fixed the cannon in their 
places. 

But though our little craft was charming to the eye, she remained immovable 
upon her keel, and Ave knew not Avhat means to employ to launch her into 
the sea. 

It was out of the question to think of making an opening in the sides of the 
Avrecked vessel : they Avere so stoutly built. But at the same time Ave were very 
unwilling to lose the fruits of our labour. At last I hit upon an extreme measure 
to relieve us from our difficulty, and I determined to put it into execution without 
saying a Avord about it to the boys. 

I procured an iron mortar, such as chemists use with a pestle, and also a stout 
board, and Avith these I proceeded to fashion a formidable engine of destruction. 
To the board I fastened some hooks, and then grooved it down the centre, and laid 


The Pinnace. 1:25 



BEHOLD THE RESULTS OF OUR LABOUR!” SHE SAID.— p. 127. 


into it a slow match, made to burn two hours. Then I filled the mortar with 
powder, and fastened the board on the top of it by the hooks, which I fixed firmly to 
its rim. I next caulked all the joints with tar, and thus found myself in the possession 
of an enormous petard, sufiiciently powerful to open for the pinnace a way to the sea. 


126 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


When everything was ready for action, I left the wrecked vessel in haste with 
my boys, to whom I had communicated nothing concerning my plans, which I still 
feared might miscarry. 

On our arrival at Undertent, just at the moment of our debar cation, we heard 
a frightful explosion. 

My wife and my children looked at each other in amazement. 

‘‘ It is a signal from a vessel in distress,” said Fritz j “ let us at once set out to 
her help.” 

“No,” said my wife; “it is much more likely that the report came from the 
ship. You have no doubt left fire on board, and it has communicated with a barrel 
of gunpowder.” 

I pretended to fall in with her opinion, and proposed that we should return 
immediately to the vessel, to see whether she was right or not. 

The three boys at once leapt into the tub-boat, and as curiosity doubled their 
strength, we were in a very short time at the end of our voyage. I noticed with 
satisfaction that neither flame nor smoke was visible on the wreck, round which we 
made a cautious tour before venturing to go aboard. 

Arriving opposite an immense opening in the side of the vessel, I saw that the 
pinnace, though careened by the force of the explosion, remained whole, and was 
in an excellent position for being launched. All around the sea was covered with 
splinters, and my children were so concerned at the havoc that had been made that 
they could in no wise comprehend the joy which I manifested. 

“ Victory !” I cried, “ the pinnace is ours.” 

I then explained to them the stratagem I had adopted. Their satisfaction was 
every whit as great as mine, and they were in extacies at the happy result of my plans. 

"With the aid of a screw-jack, we hoisted the pinnace into an upright position 
upon the rollers which we had placed under its keel, and then with our united 
strength we succeeded in launching it into the sea, where at length we had the 
satisfaction of seeing it riding gracefully upon the heaving waves. 

The sight of the trim little vessel, with its two cannon, its provision of powder, 
and its armoury well filled with guns and pistols, awakened warlike ideas in the 
breasts of my boys. They saw themselves already defying and exterminating any 
band of savages which might have the hardihood to attack us. I bade them, how- 
ever, pray that we might not be placed under the necessity of making a bloody 
trial of our new-found heroism. 

It now remained to rig our vessel with its masts and sails ; but as the day was 
too far advanced for this, we were obliged' to return to Undertent. We agreed on 
the way thither to say nothing of our doings to my wife, whom we wished to surprise 
one of these days by a triumphant entry into Deliverance Bay. 

It took us two more days to finish the fitting out of the pinnace. 

. When all was completed I gave the signal for setting sail. I took the rudder. 


The Pinnace. 


^ 9^1 

Ernest and James placed themselves, one at each cannon, with the intention of 
announcing our arrival by a double salute. Fritz manoeuvred the sails. 

A favourable wind wafted us towards the shore. Our pinnace cut through the 
water with great rapidity, although she had to tow the tub-boat, which we had tied 
astern. 

When we were within a short distance of the beach, Fritz, who had assumed 
the command of the vessel, cried out to the young gunners : ‘‘ ISTumber one — fire ! 
Number two — fire !” . > 

In an instant the rocks resounded with the echoes of the double detonation. 

Fritz at the same moment discharged his two pistols, and all four of us sent up 
a chorus of hurrahs ! 

W e very soon reached- the shore, where my wife and our youngest child awaited 
us. Our cannonade had frightened them, and the sight of our new vessel had caused 
them the greatest surprise. Finding that it was ourselves, they ran swiftly down 
to the beach to meet us. 

“ I am so thankful to see you again ! ” said my wife ; “ but pray do not cause me 
so great a fright for the future. Your artillery terrified us. Heaven only knows where 
I should have hidden little Francis, if I had not heard your voices almost as soon as 
your cannon. Well, it is all over now, and I have time to admire your pretty little 
vessel. It looks so solid and commodious that I think it would even tempt me, if 
necessity arose, to trust myself once more upon that dreadful water, at which I am 
so much alarmed when you are there.” 

Oh, mother,” cried Fritz, “ do come on board the pinnace, just for a minute. 
We have given it your name, The Mizabeth. See, it is painted upon the door of the 
captain’s cabin ! ” 

My wife thanked us warmly for this mark of attention, and we all made a 
promenade over the pinnace, to the great joy of the children, who were enchanted 
to see their mother relieved of her fears. 

When we had disembarked from our little vessel, “ Ho not think,” said my wife, 
“ that Francis and I have remained inactive during your absence. Our labours, 
depend upon it, have not been of less value than yours, though we are not able to 
announce them by the sound of cannon. Follow me, and judge for yourselves.” 

This said, she led the way to that part of Jackal Itiver where the cascade fell 
over the rocks. There we saw a kitchen garden excellently laid out. 

“ Behold the results of our labour !” she said. ‘‘Here I have planted potatoes, 
there tapioca-roots. On that side are lettuces, and further on is a bed reserved for 
sugar-canes. I have also sown melon and cabbage seeds, peas, and broad beans ; 
and around each bed I have sown maize, in order that its tall stalks may defend 
the young plants from the heat of the sun.” 

I felicitated my wife upon her ingenuity and her activity, and forgot not to 
praise little Francis for the assistance he had rendered to his mother. 


ii8 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


*' 1 scarcely hoped,” said my wife, “ to have succeeded so well, and it was for 
that reason that I told you nothing of our projects or our labours. In any case, I 
am liappy to have been able to return you surprise for surprise. I regret but one 
thing, and that is, that I iiave neglected my visits to Falcon-nest, where I am 
afraid our European plants are suffering for want of care. But I promise you I 
will go there as soon as possible.” 

I promised to accompany her thither. 

The pinnace was unloaded, and fastened securely to the beach with an 
anchor ; and then, as nothing necessitated our further stay at Undertent, we set 
out for Falcon-nest, which my wife had only visited two or three times during the 
ten days for the purpose of giving food to the animals. 


CHAPTER XYII. 

A WALK. THE BUSTARD. THE TREE WIZARD. — THE WILD PIG. THE CROCODILE. 

The next day was Sunday. It was devoted, as our custom was, to prayer, singing, 
reading of the Scriptures, pious instruction, and bodily exercise — to which my boys 
abandoned themselves with delight. 

I gave them a lesson in gymnastics, and in particular taught them the way 
to climb a loose rope. I did so to prepare them for the work of manoeuvring the 
pinnace. 

While they were occupied in outdoing each other at their new feats of 
strength and agility, I employed myself in affixing two balls of lead to the extremi- 
ties of a long cord. 

Ernest, who was the first to notice what I was doing, asked me what my 
purpose was. 

Well,” I replied, I am trying to make an arm analogous to that which is so 
redoutable in the hands of some of the people who inhabit South America. I speak of 
the lasso, of which the Mexicans and the Patagonians make such excellent use. These 
intrepid men set out, mounted upon a swift horse. When they see the animal they 
desire to catch, they spur on, and pass it at a gallop, flinging with all their strength 
the lasso, which they have previously whirled with great rapidity above their heads. 
The thongs, meeting with an obstacle, twist themselves round it, in virtue of the 
momentum of the balls. In this way buffaloes, wild horses, and other powerful 
animals are brought to a dead stand at their highest speed, and fall, with firmly-bound 
limbs, victims to this singular arm, and the no less wonderful skill of the hunters.” 

The idea of hunting in this fashion proved a very seductive one to my eldest 
sons, and they begged very hard to be allowed to make a trial of the new weapon 
against an adjacent tree. 


Walk 


139 



BRINGING DOWN THE BUSTARD.—;?. 130 . 


I told them I would try first and show them the way. 

As it so happened, my first attempt was a masterly one. The cord wound itself 
so tightly round the tree, that the boys not only believed in the skill of the 
American hunters, but in their own power to acquire it. 


9 



130 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


Fritz began practising at once, and, thanks to his natural aptitude for all kinds 
of athletic sports, was soon proficient enough to become the teacher of his brothers. 

The next day a stiff breeze sprung up, and I saw from the top of the tree that 
the sea was lashed to fury. 

Thereupon we made up our minds to stay at Falcon-nest. 

My wife took me over our little domain, where, owing to her industry during 
our absence, I noted many changes for the better. 

She also showed me two barrels filled with thrushes and ortolans, which she 
had taken in the snares and preserved, as I had taught her, by half roasting them in 
butter. 

Our pigeons, who had made their nests in the top branches of the tree, were 
getting ready to set. As to the European shrubs which I had brought from the 
wreck, I found them so dry that I was afraid we should lose them if they were not 
put into the ground at once. 

I therefore passed the remainder of the day in planting them, and by evening 
saw them as safe as it was possible for us to make them. 

The next day, all our little colony were afoot betimes, for I had promised them 
A family visit to Calabash Wood for the purpose of laying in a new stock of gourd- 
vessels. 

The donkey was harnessed to the sledge, upon which we placed our provisions 
and our hunting stores. 

As was the custom, Turk, fitted out with his coat of mail, led the van. In the 
second rank came the children, formidably armed. My wife and I formed the rear- 
guard, followed, however, by Fan, who found herself seriously embarrassed by her 
cavalier, Nip. 

We made a tour round Flamingo Marsh, and came out beyond upon a plain, 
whose beauty we could not sufficiently admire. 

Here Fritz — always indefatigable when sport was in question — strayed away 
from us, taking Turk with him. Tlie thick undergrowth hid both of them from our 
view. 

In a few minutes we heard the dog barking, and in the midst of the noise, the 
report of a gun. Immediately a huge bird, which had taken wing to fly away, fell 
to the ground. But being only wounded, it got up and made off as fast as its legs 
could carry it 

Turk dashed away in pursuit, Fritz exciting him to the chase both by voice and 
gesture. Fan found it impossible to remain indifferent. With a few vigorous jerks 
she disencumbered herself of Nip — who came to grief ludicrously— bounded into 
the brake, cut off the retreat of the fugitive, caught it by the wing, and held it fast 
till Fritz came up. 

But the strange creature was' in no humour to be taken so easily as the 
flamingo. Its sinewy legs, flying to right and left, intimidated the young nunter. 


Ths JBustard. 


1.81 


■Turk adventurously rushed to the rescue, but received so vigorous a blow on the 
nose, that he dared not return to the charge. 

Fritz then called upon me, and I hastened to liis aid as quickly as the weight 
of my baggage and the impediments offered by the thick shrubs would let me. 

Watching a favourable opportunity, I threw my handkerchief over the head of 
the huge bird, which, finding itself blinded, almost immediately ceased struggling. 
I tied the legs and wings of the prisoner with a piece of string which I had in 
my pocket. Then we returned with our capture to our companions, who awaited us 
on the confines of the marsh. 

“ It is a bustard,” said our young naturalist after examining the bird. 

“You are right, Ernest,” I replied. “It is a fine specimen of the great bustard. 
Among other characteristics by which it may be distinguished, are its feet, which 
have no spurs, but only three claws, all growing forward j and, if one may judge by 
the absence of moustaches, it should be a female of the species.” 

“ I have no doubt,” said James, “that it is the same bird which we disturbed 
the other day, and could not catch — do you not remember, mamma ? ” 

“In that case,” exclaimed my wife, “pray let it go again, for it would be 
dreadful to think that its maternal protection was withdrawn from its young, which, 
according to all appearances, were only just leaving the nest when we were here 
before.” 

“ Keassure yourself, my love,” I replied. “ Make your- mina quite easy about 
the fate of these little orphans. You have not been here for three weeks, and in 
that time they have learnt to shift for themselves. As to the mother here, we will 
take her home, and try to domesticate her, if we can cure her wounds. Supposing she 
lives, she will, no doubt, attract her mate, whom we shall then be able to take easily, 
and thus we shall make a valuable addition to our poultry yard.” 

After binding the bird upon the sledge, we resumed our journey towards Mon- 
key Wood. 

Arrived there, Fritz related with great glee to his brothers how, on our first 
visit, we had made the monkeys our purveyors of cocoa-nuts. 

Ernest, who had strayed away from us, was leaning against the trunk of a tree, 
contemplating the gigantic branches above him with their splendid load of fruit. 

Stopping at some distance from him. I was amused to see, depicted upon the 
face of the boy, the admiration wrought in him by the sight of these prodigies of 
nature, and the desire which their delicious fruits awakened in his palate. 

“You would be glad,” I said, “ if these nuts would fall of themselves into your 
mouth — would you not 

“ Certainly not, papa,” he replied laughingly ; “ I should inin a great risk of 
getting my teeth broken.” 

While he was speaking, a nut fell at his feet. He leapt back, and at the same 
instant another nut came rattling down, and soon afterwards a third. 


182 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


“ It seems to happen here as it does in the fairy stories,” remarked the youn^ 
scholar : “ one no sooner wishes for a thing but he has it.” 

“ One would almost think so,” I replied ; “ but I fancy the enchanter seated 
in the tree has rather the desire to drive us away than to fulfil our wishes.” 

However that might be, Ernest and I set to work picking up the nuts, which, 
judging from their weight, were full of excellent nourishment. 

“The wizard of the tree would be well employed,” said James, coming up at the 
time, “ if he would condescend to throw a few nuts at Francis and me.” 

Immediately two more nuts fell from the tree. 



THE TREE WIZARD. 


“Father ! father !” cried Fritz excitedly, “I seethe tree wizard! it is a frightful 
looking creature, round in form and armed with a pair of terrible claws. See, he is 
preparing to get down the trunk 1” 

At these words little Francis took refuge behind his mother’s skirts. Ernest 
did not move, but was evidently casting about for a safe retreat in case of necessity. 

As to James the Intrepid, who now saw the animal among the branches, he 
raised the butt-end of his gun menacingly, and cried out, “Wait a moment, I have 
a word or two to say to this same wizard.” 

The strange animal, fixing his talons into the bark of the tree, began to descend 
more rapidly 

When he was within a few feet of the ground, J ames ran forward and struck 
at him with all his strength ; but the blow, ill-directed, fell upon the tree and not 



The Tree Wizard. 


133 


upon the animal, which, scrambling down, made up boldly to his aggressor with his 
claws wide open. 

J ames struck another fierce blow, but with no better success, for his adversary 
dexterously avoided it, and still continued his onward march. 

Baffled by failure, James beat a retreat. His brothers at once began laughing 
at him, but the cunning little Mlow had a trick in store yet. We saw him dis- 
embarrass himself of his gun and his game-bag as he ran, and then pull ofi* his jacket. 
This done, he made a sudden stand, and firmly awaited the approach of the animal, 
npon which he threw himself and covered it over with the loose garment. 

‘‘ Ah ! ah ! ’* he cried, as he wrapped the beast about more tightly. “ my terrible 



CALABASH WOOD. — ??. 134 . 


dragon ! I’ll teach you to rely upon your formidable claws. Of what use are they 
to you now ? ” 

The little rogue put on a countenance so comically heroic, that we could not 
help bursting out into a roar of laughter at the efibrts he was making to conquer 
this troublesome prize. 

I nevertheless went to his assistance, and after giving the jacket a few blows 
with the back of my hatchet, concluded that our enemy was at all events disabled 
beyond the power of doing harm. I was not deceived : the creature was dead. But 
although lifeless, it still looked a frightful animal to deal with. 

“ What is the name of the horrid beast asked James. 

It is a cocoa-crab,” I replied ; “ and to say the truth, I have a great mind to 
create an order of crustaceans, of which to make you a knight; for this is the 
-second affray you have had with this kind of animal. It is only right to add, that 
to-day you have given proof of greater courage and presence of mind than you did 
in your first rencontre. Indeed, I doubt very much whether you would have been 



134 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


able to take the animal in any other way than that which so fortunately occurred to 
you, for the cocoa-crab is as cunning as it is intrepid, and it can make itself a very 
dangerous adversary, at all events for a boy. I am far from believing, however, that 
partial as he is to the cocoa-nut, he can, as some say, break the nuts after detaching 
them from the tree, as we have just seen him do. I am rather of opinion that he 
calculates upon the breakage of the nut as it falls to the ground, or, perhaps, is 
satisfied to suck the contents of it through the three holes which you see near the 
stalk.” 

After having refreshed ourselves with some cocoa-nut milk, and placed a 
few of the whole nuts, together with the crab, upon our sledge, we resumed our 
journey. 

We advanced but slowly, for the further we penetrated into the wood, the more 
we found our way encumbered by the thick brushwood. We were obliged even, in 
some places, to cut a road with our axes. 

Ernest, with his habitual spirit of observation, noticed that from certain of the 
trailing plants that we cut away there flowed a clear liquid, which he had the 
curiosity to taste, and found as refreshing as cool spring- water. 

The other boys immediately fell upon these creepers, which they sucked and 
sucked, without being able to draw a drop of the liquid they had so much desired. 

I recalled to their memory the plan I had adopted to extract the juice from 
the sugar-canes. 

They at once set to work notching their sticks, so that the entry of the air 
might assist them in drawing out the liquid, and their thirst was soon completely 
quenched. 

After a few minutes’ more walking we reached Calabash Wood, and halted 
upon the same spot that Fritz and I had found so agreeable on our first journey to 
the same place. 

Having gathered a large number of gourds, we all proceeded to fashion them 
more or less adroitly for their different uses. After showing the boys how to make 
bottles and basins, I constructed a cheese-tray and an elegant egg-basket for our 
good housewife. Plates and dishes were not forgotten. We even cut out nests for 
our pigeons and fowls so shapely, that Francis regretted he was not small enough to 
occupy one as a cradle. 

While employed in the manufacture of these various utensils, Ernest and James 
hit upon the novel idea of cooking the crab after the manner of the savages of whom 
I had spoken some time before — that is to say, by heating the water with red-hot 
stones. 

They immediately got ready an enormous gourd, which was to serve as a 
cooking-pot. But while they were lighting the fire in which they were to make the 
stones red-hot, they remembered that they had no water. 

I told them that I believed Fritz and I had found, during our first visit to the 


The Wild Pia. 


135 


wood, a spring of clear water, which, if I was right in my reckoning, should not be 
far away. 

They at once ran off in different directions to try and find it. 

Scarcely had they disappeared, when we heard Ernest crying out at the top of 
his voice, A wild pig ! a wild pig ! Perhaps a wild hoar ! ” 

I leapt up and ran in the direction whence the voice came. The young scholar 
was returning in hot haste. I was not long in perceiving, by the movement of the 
thick underwood, the direction which the animal was taking. He seemed to be 
making off as fast as he could. I put the dogs upon the scent, encouraging them 
by voice and gesture to follow, which they did, barking furiously. 

“ There it is ! There ! Do you not see it, papa ? ” cried Ernest, marchiog 
bravely behind me. “ I discovered the tenible creature by its grunting.” 

I observed, on the spot he had pointed out to me, a number of small bulbous 
roots wh^ch lay scattered about the freshly-dug soil. 

“ I am not surprised that he grunted,” I said, “ for you have disturbed him at 
an excellent repast.” 

The noise made by the dogs at this moment apprised me that they were doing 
battle with the pig. So I left Ernest to examine the bulbous roots at his leisure, 
and proceeded to the scene of the combat. 

Fritz, who had joined me, walked by my side. We advanced cautiously, with 
our guns at full cock and our fingers upon our triggers. 

But what was our surprise, and with what uproarious laughter were we con- 
vulsed, when we recognised in the fierce beast we were going to encounter our own 
sow, which, held till our arrival by a dog at each ear, was now allowed to go free 
and at once came tranquilly up to greet us. 

You may imagine the fun we made of Ernest on our return to him, with the 
terrific cause of all his fears walking quietly behind us. Our jokes would have 
lasted longer if the wily young scholar, by this time engaged in his proper avoca- 
tions, had not drawn our attention to the nature of the bulbous roots which he had 
found scattered about the ground. 

Fritz, with his usual readiness to pass judgment, was of opinion that they 
were the fruit of the manchineal, of which I had recently spoken, and against the 
dangers of which I had warned the whole family. Seeing, however, that the sow 
had not disdained to eat them, I was unwilling to consider them useless until Hip 
had pronounced upon them. I therefore took a few to submit to his appreciation. 

We were preparing to return to my wife, whom we had left with little Francis 
in Calabash Wood, when we heard James, who had gone in another direction to 
seek water, crying out as he ran towards us, “Papa ! papa ! a crocodile !” 

“A crocodile !” I repeated with a burst of laughter; “a crocodile in a place 
where we cannot find a drop of water ! James, you have taken leave of your 
senses.” 


136 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 



CATCHING THE IGUANA.—/). 138 . 


“ I assure you, father,” he said, looking scared, “ it is a crocodile. I saw it 
down there, lying asleep in the sun upon a rock.” 

More and more convinced that the giddy fellow had -suffered himself to be 
frightened out of his wits, I went with Fritz towards the place he had indicated. 

I was not lonsc in discovering that what he had taken for a crocodile was a 





The Crocodile. 


137 



THE WOODCOCK AND HIS WIVES.— p. 139. 


large green lizard, known as the iguana, which, though formidable in size, is only 
dangerous when irritated. Its flesh, I remembered, was regarded by the Indians as 
a great delicacy. 

Fritz, the incorrigible sportsman, had already brought his gun to his shoulder. 
You are always in too great a hurry,” I said, putting down the end of his gun. 


138 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“ The iguana is very tenacious of life. You will waste your powder and shot, and 
only drive away the animal we wish to take. I believe we can make sure of our 
quarry if we profit rightly by his slumbers.” 

Thereupon I cut a stout switch from an adjacent clump of trees, and attached 
to the end of it a piece of string, which I twisted into a running noose. I held this 
in my left hand, and with my right drew the ramrod from my gun, for use in case 
of failure in my preconceived plan of action. I now cautiously approached the 
animal, which still slept. When I was no farther from it than the length of the 
switch, I began whistling, to the great astonishment of the boys, one of the airs 
common in our fatherland. 

The iguana awoke, looking around him as if in a maze, and apjDeared to drink 
in every note I uttered. I continued to whistle, and although my music was prob- 
ably a little unmelodious, the animal continued to listen till it fell into a kind of 
ecstacy. 

I took advantage of my opportunity at once. Approaching the dazed beast, I 
passed the noose round his neck, drew it tight, and we were the masters of our new 
species of game. 

My boys uttered their usual shout of triumph on witnessing the success of my 
ruse to bring down the iguana. 

I assured them that I had only put in practice a plan universally adopted in 
the West Indies. 

As we had no desire to leave our captive behind us, I took it upon my back. 
James, with a view of lightening the load as much as possible, held up the iguana’s 
tail. To see me marching thus, I might have been taken for an Oriental princer 
followed by one of my pages, bearing the train of an emerald-embroidered mantle. 

My wife, whom we had left alone with Francis, gi'ew uneasy at our absence. 
She scolded us a little on seeing us return without water, but the sight of the- 
.iguana justified us. 

When we had related our adventures, my wife told me that the roots we had' 
discovered and placed at the foot of a tree had excited the appetite of Nip, who had 
eaten as many of them as he could find. 

This was satisfactory; but to make sure, I gave some to our bustard, who- 
devoured them with evident relish. 

I had no longer any doubt that they were fit to eat, and we fell-to upon them. 
They were found to be delicious, and I had little doubt that we had discovered the 
goyave, by which great store is set by the Indians of the West. 

Nevertheless, this kind of nutriment was insufficient to satisfy our appetites, 
excited as they were by the exercise we had undergone. We therefore had recourse 
to the provisions we had brought from Falcon-nest, for it was a little too late to 
think of cooking James’s crab. 

Thus refreshed, it was necessary to think about returning. The day was so iar 


The Woodcock. 


139 


advanced that we determined to leave the sledge, upon which my wife had placed our 
newly-made gourd- vessels, till the next day. We simply loaded the donkey with, 
little Francis, who was getting very tired, the iguana, and a few of the calabash 
cups that were already dry. 

On our arrival at Falcon-nest, my wife cooked, upon a fire which little Francis 
had lighted, a piece of the iguana and some potatoes. The fiesh of the lizard seemed 
to us to merit the reputation which the Indians had given it. 


CHAPTER XYIII. 

THE WOODCOCK. — ^THE WAX. — THE PARROTS’ NEST. — THE INDIA-RUBBER TREE. 

The next moi-ning I set out with Fritz, under the pretext of going to fetch the 
remainder of our gourd- vessels, but in reality for the purpose of making an 
excursion to the other side of the chain of rocks, in order to get some idea of the 
extent of the island upon which we had been cast. 

Our dog and the donkey alone accompanied us. 

As we approached a grove of oaks, we once again descried our sow. She- 
was tranquilly stretched beneath the trees, making a gluttonous meal of acorns. 
We had not the discourtesy to disturb her at her repast. 

The wood was full of birds, and Fritz, who at sight of them felt all the ardour 
of the true sportsman coming over him, fired several times, killing a crested jay and 
two parrots, one of which was a magnificent red one. 

While the young man was charging his gun afresh, we heard a noise like the 
distant rolling of a side-drum. The thought at once occurred to us that it might 
proceed from a band of savages, and overcome by fright, we stept behind a thick 
clump of underwood, whence we advanced cautiously to ascertain the cause of the 
strange sound. 

Upon the fallen trunk of a tree we saw seated a superb woodcock, engaged in 
executing the most singular evolutions one can imagine in the presence of some 
score or so of his hens, who seemed to take great pleasure in the performance. 

At one moment he spun rapidly round in a circle, bristling up the feathers of 
his neck like a brillant aureola; at another he stood still and extended his tail- 
feathers abroad like a fan, and beat his wings, uttering at the same time the 
strangest cries. 

I was curious to see how this exhibition would end when a shot from Fritz 
laid the feathered performer upon the sand, and dispersed his audience of females. 

I scolded Fritz severely for his impatience. Why,” said I, “ this rage for 
death and destruction ? Is not the sight of a living creature a thousand times 
preferable to the painful spectacle of one stretched in death 


140 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 



The youth a-ppeared to regret sincerely his precipitation, and became sad and 
pensive. 

In order to restore him to his wonted good spirits, I bade him take up his 

jDrey, and save it for a present to his mo- 
ther. Thereupon the dead woodcock was 
placed upon the back of the ass, and we 
resumed our journey to Calabash Wood, 
where we found all the vessels we had left 
quite dry and ready for use. 

As the hour was still early, we had 
plenty of time to make our projected 
excursion to the unknown parts of the 
island. 

The journey was somewhat difficult, 
in consequence of the tall plants and num- 
berless exposed roots that encumbered our 
pathway. From time to time we came 
upon small crystal rivulets, where we 
slaked our thirst. Potatoes and tapioca 
grew in abundance. 

Some distance on I remarked in a 
thicket a number of shrubs, the berries of 
which were covered with a kind of wax, 
which adhered to our fingers when we 
touched it. I knew that" a kind of shrub 
was to be found in America, which the 
botanists called the Myrica cerifera, or 
wax-bearer, and, to my great joy, I had 
no doubt that we had come upon a grove 
of it. 

Fritz, who had observed my delight, 
asked me of what use these berries could 
be to us. 

I replied that they yielded a wax 
which burned as well as that manufac- 
tured by bees, and that wneu burning it 
gave forth a most agreeable odour. 

He thereupon collected an ample supply, which he placed in a bag upon the 
donkey^s back. 

A little further on, a singular spectacle excited our curiosity. This was a 
colony of birds, in shape like our European finches, but covered with a brown 


THE parrots’ nests.— p. 141, 


The Parrots^ Nest. 


141 


plumage, mottled with white. They seemed to be living altogether in one huge 
nest, fixed in an isolated tree, and constructed with wonderful skill It appeared to 
us to have been built for a large number of families, and it was surmounted by a 
kind of roof made of rushes, bound together with fibrous roots. Around the 
sides were many openings, which seemed to form the doors and windows of each 
separate apartment of the common dwelling-house. The whole resembled an 



BUTTER-MAKING.—??. 144 . 


enormous sponge. A flock of birds poured in and out incessantly, without being in 
the least disturbed by our presence. 

While we were examining this strange colony, we saw a number of small 
parrots, which flew swiftly here and there, and did battle with the little colonists, 
as if these were disputing with them their entrance to the nest. 

Fritz, desirous of taking some of these birds, laid aside his gun and climbed 
the tree. On reaching the nest, he thrust his hand into one of the holes, and laid 
hold upon a brood of young ones which he found there ; but all on a sudden he felt 
nimself so severely pecked that he uttered a cry of anguish, and withdrew his hand, 
shaking it convulsively. However, he would not relinquish his attempt. As soon 
as the pain was gone ’off a little, he again put his hand into the hole, this time 
more cautiously, and drew out a bird, which he thrust into his waistcoat. Then 
he slid down the trunk of the tree, and reached the ground again safe and sound. 

He at once examined his little prisoner. It was a small Brazilian parrot, of 
a beautiful green plumage. 


142 


The Swiss Famili Robinson. 


Fritz begged to be permitted to take it home, in order that he might domesticate 
it and teach it to talk. 

I consented with all my heart. What could we do better to cheer our 
solitude than to people it with new friends ? 

In all probability the nest we had robbed belonged to the parrots, while the 
•brown birds which we had seen at first were doubtless intruders, who desired to 
possess themselves of so desirable a residence. Hence the fierce little combats of 
which we had been witnesses. 

Fritz expressed his surprise that instinct should have led these birds to inhabit 
one large nest in common. 

“We find,” I said, “that in most of the orders of the animal kingdom there are 
•creatures of architectural instincts, who love to live in association. It is thus with 
bees, with ants, with beavers, and with several other creatures.’’ And while upon 
the subject, I told him all that I knew concerning the kinds of animals in whom 
the social instinct is strong enough to lead to life in common. 

While we were thus talking together, we came upon the borders of a wood 
filled with a kind of tree that was strange to us. It was not unlike in form to the 
wild fig, and it grew to a prodigious height. Fritz remarked that there oozed out 
of the wrinkled bark a kind of resin, which grew hard in the air. He broke off a 
small piece, which he rubbed between his fingers ; and when he found that it grew 
soft and expanded with the heat, so that he could stretch it without breaking, he 
■came, to me crying, “Father! father! I believe I have found an India-rubber 
tree !” 

“What!” I exclaimed, no less pleased than my boy, “an India-rubber 
tree ! Then indeed you have found what will prove an inestimable treasure 
to us ! ” 

Having examined the gum for myself, I saw that Fritz had not been de- 
ceived ; and as he asked me of what use it would be to us, I told him that, among 
other things, it would make us excellent shoes. 

The curiosity of the youth was awakened, and I was obliged to explain to 
him, as we walked along, the means by which we could arrive at the result I had 
indicated. 

“India-rubber, as you have just seen,” I said, “oozes drop by drop from the 
caoutchouc tree. As it does so it is caught in vessels. AYhile it is still in a 
liquid state, a thin coating of it is laid upon a bottle or vase made of common 
clay, and then dried by exposure to the smoke of a fire, which gives it the black 
colour with which we are familiar. This done, the bottle which has served for a 
mould is broken in pieces, and shaken out of the neck of the flexible and unbreak- 
able India-rubber vessel, formed upon its surface. I should follow something like 
the same process to make shoes. I should fill a pair of stockings with sand, paint 
them over with caoutchouc, let the caoutchouc dry, empty out the sand, and then 


The India-rubber Tees. 


143 


I think we should find ourselves in the possession of a good, serviceable pair of 
perfectly waterproof boots.” 

Well satisfied with our discovery, and shod already, in imagination, in our 
India-rubber boots, we now resumed our journey. 

Presently we came to a new cocoa-tree wood. 

Here,” said I to Fritz, “let us make a halt for a time.” 

In attentively observing the trees growing around us, I lighted upon some 
which I believed to be sago-palms. Not only did I perceive in the trunk of one 
of them, which had been broken down by the wind, a quantity of the succulent 
powder which is sold in Europe under the name of sago ; but — to confirm me in my 
surmise — I also discovered the large white grubs or worms which the Indians of the 
W est seek in the sago-tree as a toothsome article of diet. Determining to test the 
taste of the Indians in this matter, I spitted a number of these grubs upon a 
ramrod, which I then suspended by two forked sticks over a fire that had been 
lighted by Fritz while I was preparing the raw material of our dinner. 

At the first sight of the singular dish which he saw me preparing, Fritz vowed 
that he would not touch a single morsel of it. But before long my grill gave 
forth an odour so agreeable that fancy succumbed to appetite, and my young 
epicurean was the first to fall-to upon the dish he had so loftily disdained. 

After this repast, of which the grubs and some potatoes formed the chief 
ingredients, our journey offered nothing that was worthy of remark. Everywhere 
we found the same luxuriant and uniform vegetation. At length we returned to 
Calabash Wood. There our donkey was harnessed to the sledge, which we had left 
on the previous day, and in the evening we once more found ourselves at Falcon- 
nest, where the family were beginning to grow anxious by reason of our prolonged 
absence. 

The story of our journey formed the subject of conversation for the rest of 
the evening. But what excited the greatest delight among the children was not 
so much our story as our trophies, especially the parrot. Each of them clamoured 
to become its tutor, until it was necessary, in order to put an end to all disputes, 
for Fritz to declare that he would bring the bird up himself, and suffer no one else 
to interfere with him. 

As to our good housewife, she was especially delighted at the discovery 
hoth of the caoutchouc and of the wax-berries. With the help of the latter, she 
hoped to see herself furnished with candles, I promised that in the morning I 
would try to make her some. 


144 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

Candle -Making. — Butter -Making. — Gardening. — The Last Voyage to the 
Wreck. — An Excursion. — Palm Wine. — The Buffalo. — The Young Jackal. 

Prom the rising of the sun my children gave me no rest until I had kept mjr 
promise of the previous evening. I strove to recall to mind all that I knew 
about the candle-maker’s craft, and then set to work. In the first place I boiled 
the berries in a cauldron of water. The wax soon rose to the surface, and I 
gathered it into vessels, which I placed near the fire to prevent it from congealing. 

When my wife had finished the wicks, which under my direction she prepared 
from threads drawn out of the sail-cloth, I dipped them into the wax, and hung 
them in the air to harden. By repeating this dipping several times, we found 
ourselves in the possession of a supply of wax candles which, though neither sO' 
shapely nor so finished as those which are made in moulds, nevertheless, bad as their 
light was, freed us from the irksome necessity of going to bed at sundown. 

This first success encouraged me to put in execution another project which I 
had formed, and which, if successful in the result, would, I knew, make glad the 
heart of our good housewife. 

It troubled her a good deal to see the cream which accumulated on our dishes^ 
of milk put to no good use, when by the aid of a chum — a utensil we did not possess- 
— she might have made good butter of it. 

In order to supply the place of this useful machine I took one of our largest 
calabash bottles, and filled it with something like three quarts of cream. I then 
corked it hermetically, and laid it upon a square piece of sail-cloth, whose four 
corners I attached to stakes. This done, I set each of my boys between tho 
stakes, and bade them shake the cloth backwards and forwards with a regular 
motion, which occupation proved so amusing to them that they looked upon it as a 
recreation. 

At the end of an hour I opened the gourd, to find that we had a pound or twO’ 
of excellent butter. 

My wife knew not how to express her satisfaction, while the boys, who were 
always delighted at the discovery of a new dainty, were not less pleased. 

The success of these different attempts inspired me with the necessary hardi- 
hood to undertake an operation far more lengthy and difficult than any which I had 
yet accomplished. It was to construct a carriage to replace our sledge, which the 
animals could not draw without a great waste of strength. 

I fancied that I had sufficiently examined every species of carriage in Europe 
to be able to construct a little car, but when it came to the making of the wheels- 
and the fixing of the axle-tree, I found myself in great difficulty. So tme is it that 
the most humble trade requires an appreniiceship. 


Gardening. 


145 


At length, after many attempts, and a great deal of bungling, I completed a 
two-wheeled car — heavy, ugly, and altogether clumsy, I agree ; but likely, as it 
;jeemed to me, to save us a world of useless labour in the work of haula^^e 

While I was occupied in these various labours my wife and children were by 
no means idle. They had transplanted our European trees into places which were 
suitable for them. The vines were set beneath the largest of the trees, whose foliage 
they rightly thought would preserve them from the scorching heat of the sun. 
The chesnuts, the walnuts, and the cherry trees were so planted as to form an 
avenue on the road which led to Jackal E-iver. 

We took particular care to adorn TJndertent. All those of our trees that could 



OUR TWO-WHEELED CAR. 


bear the sun — such as tne limes, the citrons, the pistachios, the mulberries, and the 
almonds — were planted there, and served to transform a barren shore into the most 
agreeable of summer retreats. We did more : we made it a place of refuge in 
case of danger, by surrounding it with a thick hedge of thorny plants, strong 
enough to protect it at all events from the attacks of wild beasts. 

These various arrangements occupied us as much as six or seven weeks, during 
which period we took care to keep our Sabbaths regularly. I admired the inde- 
fatigable ardour of my sons, who, after six days of painful labour, never failed to 
find strength enough on the seventh day to engage in their athletic exercises, in 
which they soon acquired remarkable skill and agility. 

At length the deplorable condition of our clothes necessitated another voyage 
to the wreck, where there still remained several chests of linen and other garments, 

la 



146 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


I overcame my wife’s scruples in the matter, and on the first calm day sailed away 
in the pinnace to the vessel. 

We found that it had been very seriously damaged by a recent storm, and 
that the chests of clothes and the powder had sufiered with the rest of the 
cargo. We loaded our little craft with every kind of object that we thought 
would be useful to us, such as cooking utensils, arms of all kinds, and even 
several pieces of cannon; and then, after taking away, during several successive 
voyages, whatever we had thought it necessary to put on board, we determined to 
blow up the wreck, in order that its timbers might be floated ashore by the winds 
and the waves. 

To this end I rolled beneath the keel of the exposed end of the vessel a 
barrel of gunpowder, into which I had fixed a slow match, lighted at one end. 
Then we rowed the pinnace away as swiftly as we could. 

As soon as we had disembarked and arrived at XJndertent, I proposed to my 
wife to take our supper to a point of the rocks in full view of the wreck. 

She consented. 

We had not been seatied here above an hour when the darkness, which in 
these regions follows the day without the intervention of twilight, suddenly closed 
around us. 

All at once a terrible explosion resounded through the air, and a huge column 
of fire shooting up from the sea to the clouds, apprised us that the destruction of the 
wreck was complete. 

The last tie which bound us to Europe was now broken. Between us and 
our fatherland there was henceforth a great gulf fixed. The thought changed the 
joy-cries of my children into sighs and suppressed sobs, and even I with difficulty 
held back a rising tear. 

We returned to TJiidertent very sad, and a night’s repose was necessary to 
shake off the terrible feeling of desolation that had fallen upon us. 

We were on foot early, in order to go down to the beach to collect the 
timbers which we rightly opined would be thrown up during the night. Among 
them I saw with satisfaction several casks, to which I had attached some large 
,^pper boilers that we had not been able to take on board the pinnace, but that I 
had thought it well to secure for the establishment of a small sugar refinery. 

For several days we were occupied in collecting these waifs and strays. My 
wife, while we were thus engaged upon the beach, discovered that two of our ducks 
and one of the geese had hatched numerous broods of young, whose engaging 
little ways reminded her of and caused her to regret her feathered family at 
Ealcon-nest. 

All of us desired to return there, and I announced that we would do so on 
the next day. 

On the road thither Ernest remarked that the young trees planted for the 


An Excursion. 


147 


aveime were not vigorous enough to hold themselves erect by their own strength, 
and he proposed that we should make an expedition to Cape Disappointment, in 
order to bring thence a supply of bamboos to prop them. 

This excursion became indispensable, for our stock of candles was gi'owing 
short, and we required a new supply of wax-berries. Also, we wanted some more 
sugar-canes. In short, each of us found some pretext for the journey; and 1 
determined to make it as much as possible a 2:)leasure-tri2i. 

On the morrow the weather was fine in the extreme, the air pure and fresh. 
The whole of the colony put themselves en route. 

Some planks were thrown across the car for seats for the younger children ; 
the ass and the cow were put- to. We provided ourselves with an abundant 
supply of provisions, not forgetting a bottle of good wine from the captain’s stock. 
In order to assist the boys in climbing the cocoa-trees, I had made some arm and 
leg plates out of the rough skin of the shark, and these I also took with me. We 
soon passed through the fields of potatoes and tapioca-roots, and then reached 
the place where we had caught our little parrot. The bird republic afibrded a 
fertile theme of conversation to all of us. 

Thanks to the abundance of wax-trees, our harvest of candle-material was 
made in no time. We filled our bags, and concealed them in a secure place, in 
order that we might take them up on our return. Then, after some minutes’ 
walking, we came to the caoutchouc grove. By dint of cutting some large gashes 
in the bark, whence flowed a quantity of whitish liquor, that we caught in vessels 
brought for the purpose, we obtained a plentiful supply of India-rubber for the work 
of shoe-making. 

After having traversed the palm-grove, and turned Cape Disappointment, we 
came out all at once into an open country as magnificent as it is possible to 
imagine. 

To the left lay a plantation of sugar-canes, to the right a field of bamboos 
and a group of palms; straight before us was spread the lovely bay of Cape 
Disappointment, beyond which the view lost itself in the immensity of the ocean. 

The scene so charmed us that we fixed upon the site where we stood as the 
starting-point of all our future excursions. We were even on the verge -of 
deciding to abandon Balcon-nest, and take up our dwelling in this new Paradise ; 
but habit had attached us to our old home, of the safety of which also we were well 
assured. 

Our first work was to release the beasts of burden, and set them free to 
depasture upon the rich herbage which grew beneath the palms. Then we set out, . 
some to cut bamboos for props to the trees in Jackal River Avenue, and others to 
make a harvest of sugar-canes. Fresh air and hard work, however, soon sharpened 
the appetites of the young labourers, and they abandoned their task to beg of their 
mother to antedate the mid-day meal, assuring her that if she would only permit 


148 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


tliem to fall-to at once, they would not complain if there was no dinner for them at 
the proper time. 

The prudent housewife did not at all agree with this view of the case. She 
bade them satisfy their hunger for the present by the aid of their own ingenuity. 

Thereupon they cast wistful looks at the high palm-trees, from whose topmost 
branches hung the most delicious-looking nuts; but it 
seemed necessary to become a squirrel to hit upon any 
feasible plan of reaching them. I relieved them of their 
embarrassment by producing and binding upon their 
arms and legs the plates of shark-skin which I had taken 
the precaution to bring for the purpose. Also I showed 
them how to knot a cord round the trunk as they 
ascended, in order to take a rest when they grew tired 
with climbing. 

My plans succeeded to the height of my hopes ; and 
the young people reached the top of the palm-trees not- 
only without accident, but with ease. With their axes,, 
which they carried in their belts, they contrived to bring 
down a perfect shower of fresh nuts, upon which we- 
regaled ourselves, without drawing upon our more sub- 
stantial provisions. 

Tritz and James were proud of their superior 
prowess as climbers, and made a great deal of fun of 
Ernest for his idleness during the grand ascent. 

But Ernest, insensible to their raillery, seemed to be^ 
deeply occupied with some great project. All at once he^ 
got up and begged me to saw in two a cocoa-nut, one- 
half of which he slung to his button-hole like a drinking- 
cup. 

“ Ladies and gentlemen,” he said at length, assuming 
the attitude of an orator, “ it is quite true that I have 
no great taste for perilous adventures ; but I am never- 
theless, when occasion requires it, as courageous as any of 
you. I hope now to make you a present, which may 
perhaps turn out to be as agreeable to your tastes as 
THE LAST OF THE WKECK-^.146. the cocoa-iiuts which my bold brothers have brought 
down. Will you kindly wait a few moments ?” 

And then, after bowing profoundly, he approached one of the highest of the 
palms. ^ 

“Bravo! bravo, my dear boy!” I cried; “the feeling of emulation which 
animates you is worthy of all praise.” 



Excursion, 


149 


I offered him the same assistance which I had given to his brothers, and advised 
him to act prudently. But before I had done speaking he sprang nimbly 
upon the palm he had chosen, and commenced the ascent with an agility that 
.surprised us all. In a few moments he had climbed to the top of the tree. 

Fritz and James, who could see no fruit upon the tree which Ernest had 



ERNEST CLIMBS THE PALM-TREE. 


•chosen, began to laugh loudly ; but our young naturalist, without replying to their 
railleries, quietly cut off the top of the tree, which fell at our feet. 

“ Destructive boy !” cried his mother. “ In revenge for finding no cocoa-nuts, 
he has cut off the top of the tree, and it will now die. What wanton waste !” 

“ Do not be angry, mamma,” said Ernest, from the elevation on which he 
contentedly sat. '' What I have sent you is the palm-cabbage, which is far preferable 


150 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


to the best of cocoa-nuts. If you do not find it so I am content to sit here as long 
a* you please.” 

“ Ernest is quite right,” I said. “ The palm-cabbage, as it is called, is a rich 
delicacy, very much prized in the Indies ; and our young naturalist is far more 
entitled to the admiration than to the sarcasms of certain gentlemen whom he has 
outdone by the power of his knowledge.” In uttering these words, I looked sig- 
nificantly at the young raillers, who blushed at the good-tempered rebuke. 

Still, Ernest was in no huny to descend from his lofty perch. On the contrary, 
comfortably seated close to the place where he had cut off his cabbage, he busily 
occupied himself with something, the nature of which we could neither see nor 
guess. 

At length he came down, and drew from his pocket a gourd-flagon, filled 
with a coloured liquor, which he poured out into the cocoa-cup that I had made, 
and presented it to me, saying, “ Taste that, father, and see if the wine of the palm- 
tree is not delicious.” 

I found the drink cool and refreshing, and thanked my young Ganymede for the 
treat he had given us. After my wife had also tasted the delicious liquor, the 
tlagon was passed round to the youngsters, and speedily drained dry to the health 
of Ernest. 

The day being advanced, we determined to pass the night in the charming spot 
to which accident had brought us. So we set to work constructing a hut of boughs 
to shelter us from the cool night air. 

While we were engaged in this • occupation our donkey^ '.vho was quietly 
browsing at the foot of a tree, all at once burst into a loud ‘‘ he-haw,” began 
kicking as if tormented, and then rushed at full gallop clean out of sight. We 
ran after him, but without being able to discover the way he had taken. We 
returned in a state bordering on despair. His sudden disappearance troubled 
me. In the first place, we had lost a very useful animal ; in the second, I feared 
that he had been frightened by the propinquity of some wild beast, which might 
bode us as much harm as it had done him. 

This latter consideration led us to light large . fires in the neighbourhood of 
.our hut. 

The night was serene. My family lay extended upon soft beds of moss. As 
for myself, I could not sleep. I kept guard over all who were dear to me until 
daybreak, when I snatched a few moments of repose. 

In the morning, after returning our thanks to Almighty God for his watchful 
care of us, and partaking of a good breakfast which was prepared by my wife, I 
set out to seek the ass. 

I took James with me, leaving the two elder boys to take care of their mother 
and little Francis 

After a half-hour’s search I found traces of the wanderer’s shoes, which a 


The Buffalo. 


151 


little further on became mixed up with the hoof-prints of a number of larger 
animals. 

In following the trail we found ourselves upon a vast plain, extending before 
us until it was lost to view on the horizon. In the far distance we fancied we 
descried troops of animals, which seemed to be about the size and shape of horses. 
Thinking it not unlikely that our friend the donkey might be among them, we 
set out for the spot where they were. In the marshy land which we traversed 
we came upon reeds of a prodigious height, and I had no doubt that at last we 
had found the bamboo proper, or Giant Reed of America, which often grows to the 
length of thirty or forty feet. 

In emerging from this marsh, we found ourselves within something like a 
hundred paces of the animals which we had seen from a distance, and which I now 
recognised as buffaloes. 

I well knew the ferocity of these animals, and not being able to suppress a 
feeling of terror, I cast a look full of anxiety upon my boy James. So much was 
I troubled for his safety rather than my own, that I had not the presence of 
mind even to load my gun. There was no means of flight. The buffaloes were 
directly in front of us, scanning us with a look rather of surprise than of anger ; foi! 
without doubt we were the first human beings they had ever seen. 

All at once our dogs, which were in our rear, darted forward barking 
furiously. Our efforts to restrain them were vain. At the first sight of the 
buffaloes they precipitated themselves into the middle of the troop. 

The fight became terrible. The buffaloes rushed hither and thither, uttering 
the most appalling bellowings, tearing up the earth with their feet and horns, and 
throwing themselves furiously upon the dogs, who, nothing daunted, laid hold upon 
the ears of their adversaries, biting them severely. This gave us time to charge 
our arms, and to retire some paces. In a few moments we saw our brave dogs 
approaching us, holding firmly by the ears a young buffalo, which bellowed 
frightfully as they dragged him along. 

His dam, furious with anger, came to his help, and we saw her on the point 
of goring one of our dogs, when James, at a signal from me, fired off* his gun. 
Alarmed by the noise, the whole herd took flight. In an instant they were out of 
sight, and the echoes of their distant bellowings were the only indications we had of 
their existence. 

Our brave dogs had not relaxed their hold upon the young buffalo. 
Its dam, upon which I had fired, lay rolling in the sand, pierced by a couple of 
balls. 

Thus released from imminent peril, I breathed freely again, and I complimented 
James upon the courage he had shown. 

At the same time, we had yet to conquer the young buffalo, which still did 
valiant battle with the dogs. We did not like to use our guns, for I had made 


152 


The Swiss Family Boeinson. 


np my mind to take the animal alive, if possible, to replace our donkey, which 
we were too tired to seek further. 

James hit upon the lucky notion of making use of the lasso, and he threw »• 
it with so much address that, bound tightly by the hinder legs, the buffalo fell an 
easy prey upon the sand. 

I ran to the spot at once, drove away the dogs, and replaced the lasso with 
shackles. But it was necessary to make the beast follow us, and this was not a task 
easy of accomplishment. Driven to adopt the expedient instead of the just, I had 
recourse to a plan which, it is true, was cruel, but which was nevertheless sure. 
While the buffalo lay with its legs securely tied, and a dog at each ear, I pierced 
with the point of my knife the partition of its nostrils, and passed through the 
hole a cord sufficiently strong to lead it. By this cord I tied it to a tree, and 
proceeded to cut up its dead mother. As we had no tools fit for the work, I 
contented myself with carrying away the tongue and a few pieces of the flesh, 
which we sprinkled with salt to keep it fresh. We always carried a small supply 
of salt with us for emergencies of this kind; for in the hot region in which we 
found ourselves they were frequent. It was an absolute necessity to resign ourselves 
to this butcher’s work : it was a law of our existence. 

Nevertheless, it was a necessity which always caused me the greatest repug- 
nance. The inhabitants of towns escape these unpleasantnesses. When their 
meat is placed upon the table they can, at all events, eat it without the painful 
reflection that thousands of creatures have to be killed to keep a few human beings 
alive. 

The remainder of the dead buffalo was abandoned to the vultures and other 
birds of prey, who as soon as we had turned our heads fell like a cloud upon the 
carcass. 

Among these birds I noticed the “ royal vulture,” and a member or two of the 
variety called the “rhinoceros vulture,” because of the excrescence which grows 
nut of the top of its beak. 

In order to withdraw James’s attention from these harpies of the animal 
world, I sent him into the marsh to cut some bamboos, with which I intended to 
fashion some moulds for the manufacture of our candles. 

After partaking of some refreshment, we set out again for the family, leading 
by the nose the young buffalo, who behaved himself much better than we could have 
expected. 

As we were walking up a little hill, our dogs turned up a female jackal, 
which they pursued and caught just as she was entering the cleft of a rock, where 
her young were awaiting her. After disabling the mother, they fell upon the 
little ones. 

James, prompt as he was to rush to the spot, could only save one alive, which 
he begged that ho might keep. 


The Young Jackal. 


153 



ABANDONED TO THE VULTUKES.— p. 152 . 


I consented tlie more willingly, perhaps, as I reflected that the little animal, if 
jiroperly trained, might assist us in our hunting excursions. 

James was overcome with joy, and could not sufficiently admire the beautiful 
appearance of his future pupil, with its golden coat and its glistening, half-closed 
«8yes. 


154 


The Swiss Family Eobinsoh. 


I had myself made a discovery of some importance. I had recognised among the- 
vegetation surrounding us the dwarf palm, which, with its prickly leaves, would 
make us a capital hedge of defence against every kind of enemy. I determined te 
transplant some roots of it to the grounds around Falcon-nest. 

It was not until nightfall that we returned to the family, who were awaiting u& 
with anxiety. We were deluged with questions, to which James replied with hia 
habitual vivacity. 

His story of our adventures so captivated his audience, that supper was ready 
before I had had time to ask my wife what she and our other children had beea 
doing during our absence. 


CHAPTEF XX. 

THE SAGO. — THE BEES. — THE STAIRS. — TRAINING THE ANIMALS. 

In answer to my question, my wife said she had little to relate beyond praising the 
three boys I had left with her for their skill and industry. During my absence they 
had cut down, unaided, the enormous palm from which Ernest had on the previous 
day taken the top. Their only tools were their hatchets and a saw, with which they 
cut through the trunk ; then, with a long rope fastened to the higher branches, they 
had pulled the tree to the ground without accident. 

While they were thus occupied, a band of monkeys had invaded the hut, and 
done so much damage before they could be driven away, that it took considerably 
over an hour to repair it. 

Fritz had captured a large bird, which I recognised as the Malabar eagle. I 
recollected to have read somewhere that this bird was easily trained, and I advised 
Fritz to rear it in such wise that we might use it in our hunting excursions, as a 
hawk is used in falconry. 

Thereupon Ernest delivered a discourse upon the art of hawking, as it was 
practised by the nobility in the middle ages, and pointed out in particular the best 
method of training the eagle to take game. 

When curiosity had at length been satisfied on both sides, we lighted a fire 
of gi’een wood, and dried our pieces of buffalo-flesh in the thick smoke that arose 
from it. 

The young buffalo, to whom my wife gave a meal of potatoes moistened with 
milk, became so tame that we handed him over as a companion to our cow. 

We had a cheerful supper. Afterwards we took the same ^precautions for 
safety during the night that we had taken on the previous evening, and then 
went to bed upon our couches of moss, which soon drew us off* into a profound 
sleep. 


Tee Sago. 


155 


The next morning, after breakfast, I gave the signal for setting out again to 
Falcon-nest ; but the young people had another project. 

“We do not like to leave here, love,” said my wife, “ without taking with us 
at least a part of the palm-tree which the boys have cut down. Ernest tells us that 
the interior of it is full of the pith of which they make sago ; and if he is right, 
I should be delighted to avail myself of an article of food which is at once so 
delicious and so strengthening.” 

I examined the tree, and found that the young scholar had not been deceived. 
But, on the other hand, it was no light labour to open the trunk of a tree which 
measured at least fifty feet in length. Nevertheless, I made known to the assembled 
family that we had given up our design of returning to Falcon-nest, and were about 
to devote ourselves to the preparation of sago. 

It required unheard-of efibrts to split the tree ; but what with repeated blows 
of the axe, and the insertion of wedges in each slit made, we at length succeeded. 
While employed in the operation, I conceived the idea of preserving the two halves 
of the enormous trunk to make gutters, wherewith to bring water from Jackal 
River for the watering of our kitchen garden. 

One of the ends of the tree was scooped out to make a trough. In this we 
placed the sago pith as we got it out, and wetted it up with water ; two of the boys, 
with their sleeves turned back, kneading it as one does dough. 

When the paste appeared to me to be of the proper thickness, I attached the 
pierced side of one of our nutmeg-graters to one end of the trough, and then, 
pushing the mixture against it, we had the pleasure of seeing small grains of sago 
oozing through at every hole. These grains were caught in a cloth, and placed in 
the sun to dry. 

It then struck me that I might as well make some vermicelli. In order to do 
this I had only to mix the paste a little' thicker, and to bear with a continuous and 
equal pressure upon the nutmeg-grater. The sago then poured through the holes in 
long threads, which curled themselves upon the cloth as they fell. 

The next day at dawn we were on our way to Falcon-nest. The cow and the 
buffalo were harnessed to the car, and we could not but congratulate ourselves upon 
the docility of our new-found beast of burden. The road we took led us to the spot 
where we had concealed our bag of wax-berries, and also by Caoutchouc Grove, where 
we found our gourd- vessels filled with liquid India-rubber. 

As we were going through the little plantation of guavas, our dogs dashed, 
barking furiously, into a thicket, whence they speedily returned. Fancying that 
they had been disturbed by some wild animal, we marched round the wood arms 
in hand. 

All at once James, who had lain down and was peeling anxiously into the 
thicket, cried out, “ Oh, papa, it is the sow again, and she has a litter of pigs!” 

A well-known grunt followed the exclamation of the excited youngster, and as- 


156 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


it had nothing very imposing in it, the fierce hunters of an imaginaiy wild beast 
burst into loud laughter. 

The poor beast was suckling six little pigs, which appeared to be four or five 
days old. 

After deliberating as to what we should do with the young animals, we 
resolved to take two only home with us, and to leave the others to multiply in 
the woods. 

Our arrival at Falcon-nest partook of the nature of a triumphal entry. We 

-were overcome by unutterable joy in 
rejoining our domestic animals, who, 
in their turn, received us with every 
noisy demonstration of affection of 
which they were capable. 

The buffalo and the jackal were 
tied up, till custom should teach them 
to obey our voices and not stray away. 
The eagle was also tied up, but Fritz 
had the imprudence to remove from its 
eyes the bandage with which I had in- 
structed him to blindfold it. Instantly 
the bird began dealing blows right and 
left with its claws and its beak so 
furiously, that no one could for the 
time being come near it. It tore the 
parrot limb from limb in a twinkling. 

Fritz, on seeing the bleeding re- 
mains of his little favourite, went into 
a towering rage, and was about to 
THE MALABAR EAGLE. puuish the feathered murderer with 

death. 

“No, no,” said Ernest, “do not kill it; give it me to bring up for you. I 
will tame it in no time.” 

“ Not I,” replied Fritz ; “ it is mine. I caught it, and I shall keep it. Tell me 
how you will tame it.” 

“ If you keep the eagle,” returned Ernest, “ I shall keep my secret.” 

I was obliged to intervene in the discussion. 

“ It is hardly fair,” said I to Fritz, “ to ask your brother to reveal his secret 
without offering him any kind of compensation.” 

They agreed to strike a bargain : Fritz was to give Ernest his monkey, and 
Ernest in return was to tell him how to tame his eagle. 

The plan was very simple. All Fritz had to do, so Ernest said, was to blow 



The Sago. 


157 


some tobacco-smoke into the bird’s nostrils, whereupon, as if seized with vertigo, it 
would lose all its ferocity and become calm in an instant. 

Fritz refused to believe in the efficacy of the plan, and talked about having his 
monkey back. 

I advised him not to condemn the receipt till he had tried it. 

Ernest took a pipe and some tobacco which we had brought from the wreck, 
and began smoking under the place where the eagle was perched. At the first 



** Oh, papa, it is the sow again, and she has a litter of pigs !” — p. 155. 


few whiffs the bird became quite docile, and then, losing its strength little by little,, 
first tottered on its legs and then fell from its perch immovable. 

Fritz, who thought the bird was dead, regretted at first that he had given his 
brother permission to try his experiment j but in a few moments the creature re- 
covered its sensibility, and at once became quiet and tractable. 

There was no need to repeat the experiment often, which was fortunate, for it 
was almost as disagreeable to Ernest as to the eagle. The bird was very soon, 
domesticated with our other animals. 

The next day the bamboo props which we had brought from Cape Disappoint- 
ment were fixed to the shrubs along Jackal Avenue. 

We set out early with a good load of them, and an iron dibble to make holes 
to set them in, leaving my wife and little Francis at home, with instructions to 
prepare us a good dinner of palm-cabbage and sago. 

As the cow was strong enough to draw the car, we left the buffalo in the 
stable. I did not like to use him until the wound in his nostrils was healed. 


158 


luE Swiss Family Eobinson. 


The props proved to be of the first utility, for our trees were bent almost to 
ihe ground by the fierce winds which for some days past had blown in-shore. 

While we were engaged in fixing the bamboos, my boys overwhelmed me with 
questions in agriculture. I answered them as well as I could, but if I had been a 
gardener and farmer all my life, I should have had a difficulty in teaching them all 
they wanted to know. 

Are the trees which are planted here,” asked Fritz, “ such as are found in a 
state of nature, or are they the result of cultivation ? ” 

“ A pretty question that ! ” cried James. “I suppose you think that they tame 
trees like they tame animals, and that there are methods of rendering them docile 
similar to that which Ernest practised upon your eagle ? Perhaps we may some day 
educate them up to the point at which they will politely bow down their highei’ 
branches in order that we may pick their fruit.” 

“No doubt, my poor boy,” I said, “you fancy you have uttered something 
wonderfully witty, whereas you have only displayed a deplorable amount of igno- 
rance. Of course, trees cannot be taught to obey the voice of their owners ; but 
if there are some that grow, as we have seen in this island, without culture, there 
-are others which have to be submitted to a kind of education, in order to improve 
their natural productions. Since you are so fond of reducing all things to the 
same category, how would you like it if, when you are troublesome, I were to 
quell your insubordination by passing a cord through your nose as I did with 
our bufialo ? ” 

“ It woidd not be at all a bad plan of taming him,” said Ernest. 

“ No,” I replied laughingly ; “ I think I must put it in practice with all of 
you, not excepting our young scholar. But if we have different methods of training 
human beings and the lower animals, so we have different methods of training 
various kinds of vegetables. We graft and we transplant, and we manure and train 
them. In short, there are many processes of cultivating plants and trees, and these 
go to make up the art and science of horticulture and agriculture.” 

I then proceeded to tell them that most of our European fruit trees were of 
foreign origin ; that, for example, the olive came from Palestine, the fig from Lydia, 
the peach from Persia, the apricot from Armenia, the plum from Syria, and the pear 
from Greece. I added that these and others had been cultivated in Europe for so 
many years that people had come to believe them indigenous — that is, native to 
the soil. 

Towards noon we finished our labours and returned to Falcon-nest, where an 
excellent dinner awaited us. 

The execution of a project which we had had in mind for some days past 
occupied the afternoon. 

Our desire was to erect a solid flight of stairs, to take the place of the rope- 
ladder by which we had hitherto been in the habit of ascending to our aerial 


The Bees. 


1.59 


Tiabitation. We felt that it was a dangerous method of ascent, especially for my 
wife and little Francis. Hitherto I had only been able to think of building our 
stairs round the outside of the tree, which would have been a labour very difficult, 
if not altogether impossible. I now hit upon the idea of building them inside the 
trunk, which I believed to be hollow, because a swarm of bees had found a home in 
it. Before all, it was necessary to expel these from their hiding-place — a work of 
some peril, as the result will show. 

In order to ascertain whether I was right in my supposition that the tree was 
hollow, the boys and I took an axe each, with the backs of which we began sounding 
the trunk in every direction. The noise disturbed the bees. They swarmed out 
in hundreds, and furiously attacked my giddy- witted boy James, who, in spite of 
■every warning to the contrary, had placed himself directly in front of the hole 
which served as an entrance to the hive. In an instant his face and hands were 
covered with stings, which gave him the most exquisite pain. I relieved his anguish 
by rubbing his wounds with wet earth. 

This accident showed me that in order to dispossess our terrible little neigh- 
bours, we must have recourse to means less violent. My first idea was not to 
destroy but to remove them, and to that end I had constructed out of the trunk 
of a small hollow tree, which I had covered with a gourd-cup, a substitute for a hive 
in which I hoped to install the whole colony of winged creatures without further 
trouble. But I was at a loss how to remove them from the one place to the other, 
nor was I at all sure that a swarm of bees could be induced to take up a new 
dwelling at the will of the first intruder that chose to invade their sanctuary. 

While I was beating about for a solution of this problem, I noticed an unac- 
customed disturbance at the mouth of the hive. The bees were flying in and out 
and going and coming with an amount of agitation which seemed extraordinary, 
and I came to the conclusion that a new swarm was about to leave the parent hive. 

I was right. In a few minutes an innumerable army poured out of the trunk, 
circled for some moments in the air, and then settled in a heap upon the branch of 
a small tree, where they hung like a huge buuch of grapes. I had several times 
been a witness of the hiving of a swarm of young bees in Europe, and I determined 
to adopt the same method with these. 

As a measure of precaution, I covered my head with a piece of cloth, which I 
pierced with holes to enable me to see and breathe, and my hands with a handker- 
chief. I then approached the little tree, and turned the hive which I had prepared 
bottom upwards upon the grass. My plans thus completed, I gave the tree a sharp 
shake with my foot. The greater part of the swarm fell off into the hive, which I 
at once turned over and placed upon a plank laid handy for the purpose. This most 
difficult part of the operation was at an end. I had left an opening by which the 
bees could come and go, and I watched anxiously to see if my little prisoners had 
any disposition to escape. A noisy stream soon established itself between the tree 


!60 


Thu: Swiss Family IIobinsok. 



THE EAGLE ABllOAD. 


and the hive, and in the course of an hour the whole swarm had taken possession of 
their new dwelling-place. ^ 

In the evening, when the bees were asleep, we carried the^ hive into our 
kitchen-garden, and turned the opening towards the south. On the following day 
ii-lie little republic began work on its own account and oum. 



The Stairs. 


161 


Being thus the possessors of a swarm which promised, hy multiplying itself, 
to assure us a supply of honey and wax for the future, we had the less regret in 
resolving to sacrifice the bees which still remained in the trunk of our fig-tree. 
We corked up the opening, having previously thrown in a few lighted sulphur 
matches, and killed the whole swarm remorselessly. 

The next morning we were able not only to possess ourselves of a supply of 
honey and wax, the result of the accumulations of years, but to set to work^ 
without further obstruction, upon the formation of our stairs. 

I probed the tree with a pole, and found to iny satisfaction that the trunk of 
it Avas hollow from the roots up to the branches where we had fixed the floor 
of our hut. It was clear, therefore, 
that we could build a winding staircase 
inside with ease. So, without losing 
time, I set to work, aided by my three 
elder sons. 

We made at first an opening in 
the foot of the tree, to which we fixed 
the door of the captain’s cabin. Thus 
our dwelling was capable of being 
firmly closed while we slept. 

A long and stout beam from the 
Vv^reck was fixed upright in the centre 
of the trunk, and the stairs were laid 
thence to grooves scooped out in the 
sides of the tree. Holes were cut here 
and there, in which we fixed the win- 
dows brought from the vessel, until at 
length the work was finished, and we 
found ourselves in the possession of a 
sort of tower, at the top of which was 
our house half hidden amongst the 
leaves. 

This labour, which occupied us several days, no doubt left much to be desired 
in point of architectural elegance ; but it was solid and convenient, which was all 
we needed ; so we thought it superb. 

While we were building our stairs. Fan presented us with a couple of puppies, 
one of each sex, of the pure Danish breed, and I permitted James to allow his 
jackal to feed with them. The good-natured Fan made no objection to her adopted 
child, and he throve under his new regime amazingly. 

The two goats nearly at the same time presented iis with a couple of kids 
each, and the sheep with five or six lambs. 



OUR FIRST HIVE. 


11 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


IG% 


We saw our flocks increase with pleasure ; but in case they should take pattern 
by the ass and stray away, James hit upon the happy idea of fastening to their 
necks some small bells which we had found on the wreck, and which, if they 
wandered, would put us upon their track at once. 

The incision which I had made in the nose of our bufialo was by this time 
healed, and I passed through the hole, after the manner of the Hottentots, a small 
stick, which protruded at each side and^ enabled us to lead him about as easily as 
if he had been bridled. 

Thanks to this expedient, he became easy to manage ; but it was not without 
considerable trouble that we could bring him to the understanding that it was his 
duty to be ridden and to carry burdens. 

Tritz zealously occupied himself with the education of his eagle. The bird 
knew his master, and obeyed his voice ; but he showed himself too desirous of 
regaining his liberty to be allowed to go free at present. 

Ernest, seized also with the fever of education, which seemed to have become 
general, undertook to instruct the monkey which Eritz had handed over to him 
in return for his secret concerning the eagle. It was a sight truly comic to see 
the phlegmatic young urchin using all his skill and patience to overcome the 
stupidity and insubordination of his little pupil. 

Master Idleness, to whom the lightest burdens seemed too heavy, had the idea 
of training Nip — who was growing quite strong — to carry them for him. To this 
end he fastened to the monkey’s back, by a couple of straps, a little basket of 
plaited reeds, in which at first he placed very light packages. Nip, finding the 
exercise little to his taste, rolled in the sand, gnashed his teeth, and tried by every 
means in his power to rid himself of his burden ; but, by a judicious alternation 
of rewards and punishments, Ernest at last got him to submit, with the best grace 
in the world, to the carrying of packages which were considerable for his size. 

James, in his turn, employed himself in the training of his jackal, which by 
anticipation was named “Hunter,” and which he intended should be a setter, 
stopping when necessary to point out the position of live game, and bringing to 
liis master that which he killed. The animal took badly to education. He would 
retrieve birds fast enough, but he could not be got to “ set ” them. Nevertheless, 
James did not despair of arriving at his desired end by the exercise of patience and 
perseverance. 

We so employed the few hours not devoted to labour that we rarely spent an 
idle moment. 

Scarcely had we finished our stairs when our stock of candles ran out, and we 
liad to make fresh ones. We found our reed-moulds very useful in the work. But 
It was necessary to find some new kind of wick, for our prudent housewife refused, 
and not without good reason, to permit us to tear up our handkerchiefs for the 
purpose. 


Training the . Animals. 


1G3 


It struck me that we might utilise a very inflammable kind of wood found 
in the Antilles, and called “ fire- wood.” I cut some thin sticks of it, which I, placed 
in the moulds. 

My wife, who did not think much of these wood wicks, suggested that we 
should try some threads torn out of the leaves of the karata, which she had been 
drying in the sun. 

When the moulds were fitted with these different kinds of wick, we put into a 
cauldron equal quantities of beeswax and wax extracted from the berries, which we 
melted over a slow fire. When it was warm we poured it with a spoon into the 
moulds, the lower ends of which we placed in cold water to stop the wax from 
running through. 

Night came. J took the candles from the reeds and lighted two, one of each 
sort, to see how they would burn. 

Unfortunately, neither the fire-wood nor the thread of the karata would supply 
the place of cotton : the one burnt away too quickly, the other would not burn at 
all. We sighed for the means of obtaining cotton otherwise than by tearing up 
our small stock of linen. 

After our candle-making experiment I turned my attention to the manufacture 
of India-rubber shoes. I adopted the plan which I had indicated to Fritz when we 
first discovered Caoutchouc Grove. I filled a stocking with sand, and covered it 
with a thin coating of loam, which I dried in the sun. Then, with a brush made of 
goat’s hair, I laid on the caoutchouc. When one coat was dry I put on another, 
until it grew to the required thickness. I then hung the shoes up just as they 
were in an airy place, until the caoutchouc had solidified. This done, I withdrew 
first the stocking and then the loam, and finally found myself in the possession of 
a pair of boots so useful, and so shapely withal, that my children one and all begged 
me to make them some of the same sort. 

As it often happened that the boys, in drawing water from the river for 
domestic use, grew very tired, I contrived to put the turtle-sheil fountain into 
direct communication with the stream by means of the palm-tree ducts which we 
had obtained when we found our sago. To this end I put in a sort of mill-dam, 
and so raised the water to the required level for running into the pipes. 

Thus day succeeded day in labours that were designed to render our isolated 
condition more tolerable. 

Each of our discoveries and inventions was hailed with shouts of delight by 
the children, while my wife and I gave thanks to God continually for so visibly 
blessing all our efforts to make life pleasant in this strange land. 


164 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


CHAPTER XXL 


THE ONAGER. — FLAX. — THE RAINY SEASON. 



One morning as we were about beginning work, we were startled by a series of 
the m,ost extraordinary noises, which seemed to be borne upon the wind from a 
distance. They consisted mainly of a sort of howling, which was mingled with 
hissing and whistling, and ended in a succession of lamentable wails. 

Rearing a hostile attack, we hastened to drive our animals beneath the arched 
roots of our tree, and then took to our castle among the branches. Our dogs, 

pricking up their ears, put themselves 
on the alert. 

Perfect silence lasted for some 
minutes, and then the strange noises 
were heard again — this time much 
nearer and louder. 

We were all looking anxiously in 
the direction whence the unknown 
sounds proceeded, when all at once 
Fritz, who had sharper eyes than the^ 
rest of us, threw aside his gun and, 
bursting into a loud laugh, cried, “ It 
is our donkey, and he is giving a 
flourish of trumpets to signalise his 
return ! What delightful music, to 
be sure ! Liberty seems to have im- 
proved his voice.” 

The other boys looked piqued at 
being alarmed by so trivial a cause. 

NIP IN TRAINING.— 2 ?. 162. ^ I felt less assurance than any of 


them. 

It is not at all unlikely,” I said, “ that our ass may have something to do with 
this extraordinary music ; but he could hardly make so much noise alone.” 

“You are right, father,” said Fritz, who was still looking out among the trees, 
“ for I see now that he is bringing company with him.” 

I looked in the direction indicated by Fritz, and saw a magnificent onager, or 
wild ass, trotting along by our own Longears and braying hideously. 

Without delay I cast about for some means of capturing the beast. I descended 
softly from the tree, followed by Fritz, cautioning the boys meanwhile to remain 
where they were, and make as little noise as possible. 


The Onager. 


1G5 



I then took a loDg rope, one end of which I tied to one of the roots of the tree, 
while in the other I tied a slip-knot, inserting a small stick to keep it open. 

With a piece of bamboo I made a sort of cleft-stick, of which Fritz, who was. 
very curious on the subject, tried in vain to guess the use. In his impatience to 
catch the onager he wanted to use the lasso ; but I stopped him, observing that my 
plan, which was the Patagonian one, would prove the better on this occasion. 

Fritz fell in with my views, and I instructed him how to proceed. 

As the two animals approached the tree the onager caught sight of us, and as 
ours were probably the first human faces he had ever seen, he started back affrighted. 

Fritz held out to our donkey a handful of oats. Master Longears was not too 
well fed to resist temptation. He ran up so fast that the onager, judging there was 
something worth having in the wind, followed him without mistrust. 

I profited by the opportunity to slip my noose over his neck, by means of a 
pole at the end of which 
I held it. 

Immediately the 
onager made a sharp 
bound backwards, and 
was turning to fly, when 
the knot closed round 
his neck, and the rojDe 
brought him up so sud- 
denly that he fell to the 
ground as if suffocated. 

I hastened to loosen 
the cord, lest it should 
kill him, and replaced it 
by the halter of our own the jackal in training. -2?. 162 . 

donkey. Then, before 

he could recover himself, I closed his nostrils with my bamboo cleft-stick, the 
open ends of which I tied tightly together with a piece of string, thus employing 
to tame the animal the method adopted by farriers when they have to shoe a 
vicious horse. 

This done, I fastened the halter with two long ropes to the roots of our tree, 
and waited for the captive to come to his senses again, in order to see what more was 
necessary to be done to bring him into complete subjection. 

In the meantime the whole family had descended from the tree ; and as we 
stood round the prostrate animal we could not but admire the grace of form which 
almost raises this species of ass to the same level of beauty as the horse. 

At the end of a few minutes the animal leapt up and made a brave struggle to 
regain his liberty. The bamboo cleft- stick, however, troubled him exceedingly, and 


'166 


The Swiss Family Robinson, 


considerably damped bis ardour, so that before long be became quiet enough to be 
led to tbe place that served us for a stable. 

This accomplisbed, it became necessary to take measures to prevent another 
desertion on tbe part of our own donkey, our confidence in whose fidelity was very 
naturally shaken. Having fettered bis fore-legs, I tied him up beside tbe onager, 
thinking that bis enforced society might be a means of teaching tbe new animal tbe 
kind o-f life be w^ould be expected to lead in future. 

We found it no easy task to train our onager. We condemned him to privations 
and even to blows, but we could do nothing with him until we adopted tbe American 
plan of clipping his ears. This finished bis education. 

At tbe end of a few weeks Ligbtfoot — this was tbe name we gave him — was so 
well broken-in that we were able to mount him without fear. In order to manoeuvre 
him, I attached to bis baiter a sort of cavesson, or nose-band, into which I fixed a 
couple of switches, that touched either tbe ^ right or left ear according as we pulled 
tbe right or left rein. Tbe ear being tbe most sensitive part of these animals, tbe 
cavesson proved to be as effectual as a bridle and bit. 

During the time spent in taming our onager, a triple batching among our fowls 
made us tbe possessors of more than forty bttle chicks, which ran about in every 
direction piping joyously. 

This increase in our poultry, joined with the acquisition of the buffalo and the 
onager, recalled to my mind a project I had formed some time since for building 
a substantial stable and fowl-house before the rainy season — which I knew could, not 
be far off — came on in its intensity. 

Upon the arched roots of our tree we laid a roof made of bamboos and reeds 
interlaced with each other, covering it with moss and clay, and finishing it off with 
a coating of tar. We thus had a solid roof upon which we could walk without 
fear of falling through. We surrounded it with a neat balustrade, which gave it the 
appearance of a terrace, and in this way rendered the useful ornamental. 

The interior of the hut was divided into several compartments, some serving 
the purpo^of stables and barns, and others being set apart for dairy work and pro- 
vision stores. We knew it would be necessary to gather in a large stock of the 
latter, because the rainy season, which is the winter of these tropical seasons, would 
keep us indoors entirely. 

Very few days passed in which we did not enrich our magazine with some new 
acquisition. 

One evening as we were returning from digging potatoes, I proposed to my 
wife that she and the younger children should drive the cart home to Falcon-nest, 
while Fritz and Ernest accompanied me to the oak wood, to add to the spoils of the 
day a supply of acorns. Fritz rode proudly upon the onager. Ernest carried his 
monkey on his shoulder. 

W e carried empty sacks with us, intending to fill them and place them on the 


Flax, 


167 


back of the onager, which had rendered ns similar services before, though he flatly 
refused to assist our donkey in drawing the cart. 

When we had reached the middle of the wood, I tied Lightfoot to a tree, and we 
set to work filling our sacks. Our labour was soon at an end, for the acorns were 
plentiful and easy to pick up. 

Just as we were coming away, the monkey suddenly dashed into a thicket, 
before which he had been sitting with his ears pricked up ; and in another instant 
we heard the screaming of a bird, accompanied by a furious beating of wings. We 
judged that a battle was in progress between Master Nip and some denizen of the 
brushwood. 

Ernest, who was first upon the scene of conflict, advanced with caution, and we 
soon heard him crying out, “ Fritz ! Fritz ! come here ! Here is a nest full of eggs ! 
Come and get them while I hold Nip, who is struggling to get at them ! The bird 
is trying to escape ! ” 

Fritz ran to the bush at the top of his speed, and a few minutes afterwards 
returned with a fine Canadian heath-fowl, similar to one he had fired at and missed 
some days before. I helped him to tie the legs of the creature, which, as it appeared 
to me, would be a very valuable addition to our poultry-yard. 

Ernest, who had at last got rid of Nip, brought his hat full of eggs, covered over 
with leaves similar to those of the iris. In showing them to me he said, “ I brought 
these leaves of which the nest was made because they are so long and thin, and 
altogether so curious that they will serve to amuse Francis.” 

Our full sacks were then laid upon the onager in such a manner as to leave 
room for Fritz, who always rode the animal. Ernest carried his eggs, I the fowl, 
and in this order we set out for Falcon-nest. 

My wife was delighted with our new capture. She carefully laid the eggs ^ a 
new nest, induced one of our hens to sit on them, and at the end of twenty days 
presented us with fifteen young heath-fowls. 

A day or two afterwards, when the long sword-like leaves which Ernest had 
brought home for Francis had become dry, and were blowing about on the grass, 
Fritz said to his brother, no doubt with the intention of amusing him — “ Qome on, 
Francis, let us make some whips of these toys to drive our cattle with ! ” 

Thereupon he proceeded to split each leaf into three or four thongs, which he 
plaited together into a long cord. 

By accident I saw him at work, and noticing the flexibility of the leaves, I 
examined them more attentively. It gave me intense joy to find that they were 
leaves of the Phormium tenaxy a plant which serves the Indians as an admirable 
substitute for the flax of Europe. \ 

My wife was no less delighted than I was. She cried out enthusiastically, 

“ Bravo ! bravo ! This is the best discovery we have made yet. Get as mahy 
of these leaves as you can, and I will soon make you new clothes of every kind ! ” 


168 


Th3 Swiss Family Robinson. 


She forgot, the dear creature, how far the raw material in this case was removed 
from the manufactured article. 

While I was endeavouring to explain this to her, with the intention of softening 
down the disappointment which often follows misplaced enthusiasm, Fritz mounted 
the onager, James the buffalo, and the pair of them disappeared at a gallop in the 
direction of the oak wood. 

In a quarter of an hour they returned, like true foraging huzzars, their beasts 
laden with large bundles of the new flax-plant, which they threw down at our feet. 



FRITZ AND JAMES ON THEIR CHARGERS. 


I commended them for their promptitude, and promised my wife that, whatever 
might come of our attempt, we would do our best to prepare her some flax. 

“ First of all,” I said, “ we must submit our grass to the process of steeping.” 

“What is steeping?” asked Fritz. “Must we make a Are, and heat some 
water ? ” • 

“ No,” I replied, “there is no need of a fire. Steeping consists in exposing the 
flax alternately to moisture and the open air, in order to allow the plant to decay 
to a certain extent. The soft parts are then easily separated from the long and 
tenacious threads. The vegetable glue which binds them together is dissolved, and 
they are obtained by pounding or stripping the stalk.” .. . 

“ But do not the threads perish with the rest ? ” asked Fritz. 

“ That may happen,” I replied, “ if the steeping process lasts too long. At the 
same time the wonderful toughness of the fibre renders such an accident very rare. 




THE CAPTUEE OF THE ONAGEE.— p. 165. 





170 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


Besides, we have nothing to fear if, in place of exposing the grass to the heat of the 
sun, we carefully put it to decay in stagnant water.” 

My wife was of opinion that it would be better, owing to the tropical heat 
of the country in which we found ourselves, to adopt the latter method of steepingj 
and suggested that Elamingo Marsh would be a good place to carry out the 
process. 

The idea was an excellent one, and next morning we harnessed the ass to the 
car, upon which we piled our bundles of flax, leaving room for little Francis and 
Nip in the centre. Thus prepared we set out. I and the boys following the convoy 
with our pickaxes and shovels. 

Arrived at the marsh, we separated our flax into little bundles, and, tying a 
stone to each, sunk them in the water till they were entirely submerged. 

While engaged in this work, my boys took occasion to notice and admire the 
instinct of the flamingoes in the construction of their nests, of which several 
abandoned ones lay scattered about. These nests are of the shape of a truncated 
cone, raised above the water in such a manner that the bird can sit upon the eggs 
while her long legs rest on the bottom of the marsh. They are constructed of earth 
so closely pressed together, that the water can neither dissolve nor overturn them, 
until the eggs are hatched and the young are able to take care of themselves. 

At the end of fifteen days our good housewife, thinking that the flax was 
sufficiently steeped, asked us to go and fetch it. We did so, and laid it out on the 
grass in the sun. In' a single day it was quite dry. We then brought it back to 
Falcon-nest, putting ofi* till another day the pounding and other processes. 

As I foresaw the speedy approach of the rainy season, I thought it wise to 
devote our attention to our stock of edibles. 

For some days past the weather, which had hitherto been warm and serene, 
became at times gloomy and threatening. The heavens were often obscured by thick 
clouds, the wind moaned up heavy with moisture, and once or twice slight showers 
had fallen. 

All the potatoes and tapioca we could get were brought into the storehouse and 
piled in heaps ; for these roots were to form the staple of our provisions for the 
winter. W e also brought in large supplies of cocoa-nuts and acorns. 

In the place of the potatoes and tapioca I sowed wheat, for, notwithstanding 
the many and delicious natural products of the island, we all missed our bread. It is 
an article of food of which one must be deprived before he can learn the full value of 
it. Little Francis, who had never cared for bread at home, was more clamorous for 
it now than any of us 

We took care also to transplant to Undertent a quantity of young cocoa- trees 
and sugar-canes. 

In spite of all our activity and foresight, the rains came upon us before we 
expected them. They fell in such torrents that little Francis, Seriously alarmed for 


The Rainy Season. 


171 


Lis safety, asked me if there was not going to be another flood, and if we had not 
better set about building an ark like the patriarch Noah. 

We soon found that we could no longer live in our aerial dwelling: the winds 
and the rain distressed us to the last degree of endurance. So we took up our 
habitation under the roof which we had thrown over the arched roots of our tree. 
The chambers, however, were so full of provisions, and animals, and tools, that 
we had hardly room to move. Nor was this the worst. We could not light a fire 
without being almost sufibcated by smoke. 

In order to make room, a large number of articles were piled up the winding 
staircase, and all our animals were housed in one stall. We were thus enabled to 
work, and could almost lay ourselves out at full length to sleep. As to cooking, we 
did as little of it as possible. Our desire for warm food gave way before the terrible 
ordeal of enduring the smoke which resulted from preparing it. 

Besides, we had gathered in but a very limited supply of firewood. So we had 
every cause for thankfulness when we found that the only effect of the rains upon 
the atmosphere was to render it humid. Had the v/inter been cold as well as wet, 
we should have suffered dreadfully. 

My wife was overcome by a terror which she could not conquer lest the 
children should fall ill. All her resignation vanished before this thought. Happily, 
however, her fears appeared to be groundless. The boys were in excellent health 
and spirits. 

Our stock of forage for the animals was not large, and we could not add to it 
from our own stores of potatoes without being in danger of perishing by hunger 
ourselves. We therefore decided to give freedom to those of our dumb companions 
which were indigenous to the country, in order that they might find food for them- 
selves. At the same time, as it was important not to leave them to resume their 
wild life, Fritz and I, several times during the day and each evening, went to 
seek them and bring them back to the foot of the tree. • 

My wife, seeing that we returned each time wet to the skin, hit upon the 
idea of making each of us a waterproof garment. 

To that end she took two sailors’ canvas shirts, to which she sewed a kind of 
hood which we could pull over our heads, and then covered the whole with a coating 
of caoutchouc. Encased in these garments, we c^uld go out in the heaviest rain 
without danger to our clothes or to our health. 

It was during the first part of this winter that I began, as a pastime, to write 
a. detailed account of our life in this desert island. Many times I was obliged to 
have recourse to the memory of my wife and my boys for a recital of events which 
had occurred since our shipwreck. 

The children instructed each other by their mutual questions, each throwing 
into the common stock of knowledge all that he had gathered separately. Ernest 
took notes, in order that he might forget nothing. Little Francis and James were 


172 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


his pupils. Their pious mother taught them religion and morality. I endeavoured 
to inspire them with hope, courage, and endurance. These were our recreations. 
Labours of various kinds served to shorten our hours, which nevertheless passed by 
very wearily at times. 

The captain’s chest of books had been opened, and we found them a great relief 
to us. The box contained some very useful volumes, consisting of dictionaries, 
scientific works illustrated with cuts, and a great many handbooks for arts and 
handicrafts. These volumes were not by any means perfect. We often found the 

authors at fault, especially when 
they treated of the tropical plants, 
trees, and animals which had fallen 
under our own observation. 

Ernest noted the errors upon 
the margin, and added that wliich 
experience had taught him to be the 
truth. But what pleasing and use- 
ful lessons the books contained to 
balance their few mistakes ! There 
is no greater human discovery than 
printing. It enables science to ad- 
vance without stepping back to 
spring, and preserves to it every- 
thing which it has once conquered. 

Of all my labours, that which 
pleased my wife the most was the 
making of a card for the purpose of 
combing our flax. 

In order to do so, I rounded 
and sharpened with a file a num- 
ber of long nails, which I laid at 
equal distances one from the other on a square piece of tin. Then I folded the tin 
over and poured melted lead between the pieces to fix the nails solidly in their 
places. The next process was to nail the contrivance to a piece of wood, and the 
flax-comb was complete. 

My invention appeared so strong, and so well fitted to its purpose, that my wife 
prayed foi: the end of the winter, in order that we might get to flax-carding at once. 



THE FLAX PLANT. 


Return of the Fine Season. 


173 


CHAPTER XXII. 

RETURN OF THE FINE SEASON. — THE SALT-CAVERN. — A SHOAL OF HERRINGS. — THE DOG- 
FISH. PLASTERING OPERATIONS. — SALMON. — STURGEONS. — THE MAIZE-FIELD. 

In towns the winter has its compensations. Comfortable houses, family reunions 
around the domestic hearth, pleasant evenings, and warm beds to lie in, often cause 
those whom fortune has thus favoured to forget that the cold season is a time of 
acute suffering for the poor. No one, however, is insensible to the advent of the 
spring and summer. 

As to us, it would be impossible to describe our joy when, after long weeks of 



CANADIAN HEATH-rOWL.— p. 167. 


privation and forced seclusion, we at length saw the skies clear up and the sun 
shining radiantly upon the glorious face of nature. It was with transports of 
delight that we abandoned our unhealthy dwelling-place to breathe the fresh air 
again, and to contemplate the beautiful scenery, by which we were surrounded. 

Everything seemed to be putting on a new youth. We ourselves felt inspired 
by such excellent spirits, that we cast far behind us all remembrance of our past 
weariness and suffering, and gave our minds wholly to the labours which lay before 
us, and which seemed in our new condition of mind to be little more than pleasant 
pastimes. 

My wife returned hearty thanks to God that he had once more caused his sun 
to shine upon the pale faces of her weary children, and lightened their sluggish 
limbs with the spirit of hope.* 

One of our first cares was to make a tour of inspection over the enclosed lands 
which we called our domain. 


174 


The Swiss Family Bobinsoh. 


Our shrubbery was in excellent condition. The seeds which we had sown were 
springing up. The new leaves of the trees were budding forth. The fertile soil was 
covered with flowers, whose soft odours were borne upon every passing breeze. The 
music of birds of the most brilliant plumage resounded everywhere. We had never 
hailed the return of a spring-time so gay and so smiling. 

My wife wished to proceed without delay to the carding of our flax. While^ 
therefore, the younger children were employed in getting in fresh forage for the 
animals, Fritz and I spread the bundles of flax in the sun. When they were 
sufficiently dry we all proceeded to the work of pounding, stripping, and carding. 

The boys, armed each with a large stafi) beat the stalks. My wife, aided by 
Francis and Ernest, did the stripping. I devoted myself to the carding, and 
succeeded so well, that my impatient wife begged me without delay to make her a 
spindle, in order that she might turn my rude heaps of flax into thread fit for 
weaving. 

By dint of skill and application — what cannot a willing man accomplish ? — I 
contrived to make, not only a spindle, but a spinning-wheel and a winder. 

My wife, transported with zeal, at once set to work without even taking a day’s 
airing, although she had been shut up so many weeks. She consented voluntarily 
to stay at home with little Francis, while Fritz, Ernest, James, and I made an 
excursion to her favourite Undertent — ^lier sole desire at this time being to provide 
us with a new supply of clothes to take the place of our old ones, which were fast 
wearing out. 

We found the tent in a deplorable condition. Half of it had been carried 
away by the wind, and the greater j^art of our provisions were spoiled by the rain. 

We at once took measures to dry everything that we thought could be saved 
by this means. 

Happily our pinnace had suflered no harm. Our tub-boat, oti the contrary, was 
a complete wreck. 

The loss which troubled me most was that of two barrels of gunpowder, which, 
being open, I had left in the tent for current use instead of carrying them to the 
magazine in the rocks, where, fortunately, I had stored the remaining four barrels. 

This accident led me to conceive the project of building substantial winter 
quarters, where we could find shelter, not only for ourselves, but for our provisions 
during the heavy tropical rains. 

I dared not hope to carry out a bold project of Fritz’s, to excavate for ourselves 
a dwelling in the rocks ; for, with such tools and strength as we had at our disposal, 

I saw that this would be the work of several summers. But I determined, in any 
case, to try to make a cave large enough to serve as a provision-store. 

With this view I set out in the morning, accompanied by Fritz and James, who 
were armed, as I was, with crowbars, pickaxes, and hammers. We chose a place 
where the face of the rock was even and almost perpendicular to the soil. On this 


The Salt-Cavern. 


175 


‘ I marlced with charcoal the shape of the opening we intended to make ; and then 
we began work vigorously. 

At the end of the day our labours showed so little result that we were on the 
point of abandoning them. However, we took courage on observing that the rock 
became softer the further we dug into it, and that in some nlaces we could even 
remove it with a spade. 

We had penetrated to a depth of about seven feet, when James, who was work- 
ing inside the cavity, and was trying with his crowbar to loosen a large piece of rock, 
suddenly cried out, “ I am through! I am through!” 

‘‘ Through what'?” I asked — “the rock, or the world?” 

“ Through the rock 1” he cried excitedly. “Hurrah ! hurrah !” 

“ He is right I” cried Fritz, who had rushed in to see what was going on. “His 
crowbar has pierced a hole, and fallen through on the other side.” 

I went in, and was soon convinced of the truth of what Fritz had said. I 
struck the rock a sharp blow with my pickaxe, and a mass of it fell away, revealing 
a large opening, into which the boys were about to rush without further thought. 

I stopped them instantly, for the air which came out of the hole was foul in the 
extreme — almost overpowering me when I approached to look in 

I took advantage of the opportunity to teach the boys what were the conditions 
under which air would sustain life by respiration. 

“It is necessary,” I 'said, “that the gases of which air in its normal condition 
is composed should be in their exact proportions, and not mixed with any other gas 
emanating from nature. And there are many ways both of discovering whether 
these proportions have been duly kept, and of avoiding their injurious effects if they 
have not. The surest test is fire. It not only will not burn except in air which is 
fit to breathe, but it may be used in one way to drive away the noxious gases from 
impure air.” 

We made a first experiment by throwing into the opening some bundles of dry 
grass which we had set alight. They went out instantly. 

I then had recourse to a means which I believed would be more efficacious. 

We had saved from' the wreck a case of rockets and grenades, such as are used 
on board ship for giving signals at night. I took some of these, jfiaced them on the 
edge of the opening, pointing inwards, and then lighted their fusees. The matches 
fiissed for a time, the grenades and rockets exploded, and, by the light which they 
spread abroad, we could see the whole interior of the cave. It appeared very deep, 
and its sides glittered as if tliey had been cut with as many facets as a diamond. 

In an instant all was in darkness again, and nothing was to be seen but the 
huge waves of thick smoke that floated out of the mouth of the grotto. 

When we had fired into the cave two or three times more, I made a second 
trial with the lighted grass. This time it burnt up brilliantly. 

I concluded, therefore, that there was no longer the least danger of asphyxia. 


r/0 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


Nevertlieless, as tlie cave was in total darkness, and there might be precipices and 
pools of water in it, I judged it prudent not to enter without a light. 

I dispatched James to Falcon-nest to announce our happy discovery to the 
other members of the family, to get them to come along with him and assist in the 
work of exploration, and also to bring enough candles to examine the cave through- 
out its extent. 

While James was away, Fritz and I enlarged the entrance to our grotto, and 

cleared away the rubbish that lay be- 
fore it. 

We had just finished when we saw 
our good housewife and the three 
younger boys approaching, mounted 
upon our chariot, of which James had 
constituted himself the noisy driver. 
Ernest and Francis waved their hats 
as a sign of triumph. 

We entered altogether into the 
cavern, each of us carrying a lighted 
candle. Fritz and I took a tinder-box 
each, lest any of the candles should go 
out. 

Our expedition had an air of gra- 
vity, if not of solemnity, about it. I 
led the way myself, cautiously sounding 
the earth, and looking round on every 
hand as I went. My boys, spurred on 
by curiosity, followed me courageously. 

The fioor of the cavern, which a 
providential hand seemed thus to have 
prepared for our reception, was solid and level, and covered with a very fine, dry 
sand. 

Having examined the disposition of the crystals in a piece of stone which I 
chipped ofi* the side of the cavern, and placed the fragment to my lips, I found that 
the grotto was formed in a vein of rock-salt. 

This discovery gave me the liveliest satisfaction, for it assured us of a plentiful 
supply of salt both for ourselves and our animals, without the labour of gathering it 
as we had hitherto done upon the sea-shore. 

Penetrating further into the cavern, our admiration knew no bounds. The 
reflection of the lights which we carried played over the crystallised walls in colours 
tlie most brilliant and forms the most captivating. Here the huge blocks rose in 
majestic twisted columns to the arched roof, which seemed covered with whimsical 



BEATING THE FLAX.— p. 174 . 


The Salt-Cavern, 


177 



THE EOCK-SALT GROTTO. 


shadows that took the shapes of fabulous animals, or men, according as our lights 
were moved from side to side and our imaginations assisted in the illusion. There 
we were met by a blaze of Eastern magniucence, where crystal lustres and Gothic 
cressets seemed to hang dependent among fantastic forms magnificently sculptured. 

Little Francis thought he was in a cathedral James fancied it was the palace 

12 



178 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


of the fairies. Ernest thoughtfully examined everything that came in his way, and 
seemed lost in reflection. 

My wife pressed my hand afiectionately, and murmured, “ Thanks to the bounti- 
ful God who cares for us, there will now be no need for the dear children to pass 
another such winter as the last.” 

Fritz could not contain himself for joy. ‘‘It is a mansion of diamonds !” he 
exclaimed. 

“And God is the architect, my child !” added his mother solemnly. 

Fritz embraced her, saying, with moist eyes, “ God is indeed great, my mother. 
Me has made everything which is magnificent, everything which is good ; and his 
greatest blessing upon us is that he has given us a perfect mother.” 

“Happiness is with the family where mutual love is found,” murmured my 
wife in an undertone as she returned Fritz’s embrace. 

Some steps further on I came upon some pieces of crystal which seemed to have 
iallen from the roof. 

This discovery led us to fear that these droppings might be continual, in which 
case it would be dangerous to inhabit the cave ; but seeing no more about, I came 
to the conclusion that our explosions had loosened these fragments, and that in 
ordinary circumstances the roof was perfectly safe. 

Nevertheless, to make quite sure, I sent everybody out of the cavern, and fired 
ofi* a gun two or three times into the mouth of it. A few more pieces feU ; but on 
sounding the roof with a pole, we found that these were only exceptions, and that, as 
a whole, the top of the grotto was as solid as its sides. 

When we had finally decided to take up our winter quarters in the cavern, no 
one knows the projects that were conceived for fitting it up. 

Falcon-nest was to remain as a summer residence, but we thought no more of 
the improvements we had resolved to make there to fit it for the rainy season. Our 
attention was wholly concentrated upon -our subterranean house. In the first place 
we carved out a handsome doorway, and in the next, we made apertures in the face 
of the rock. To these openings we fitted the doors and windows of the tree at 
Falcon-nest ; for, since the latter was henceforth to be only a summer residence, 
there was no need of closing it up so carefully. 

The cavern being very large, we divided it into separate apartments by parti- 
tions. To the right of the entrance were placed our sitting and sleeping rooms ; to 
the left, the kitchen and the workshop. Further back were placed our cellar and 
store-room. We had four apartments in that side of the cave which we had set 
apart for habitation. The first was intended as a sleeping apartment for my wife 
and myself ; the second was the dining-room ; then came a bed-room for the boys ; 
and behind this was a large sitting-room, 'where we placed the books, the arms, and 
certain curiosities that we had collected from the wreck and during our sojourn on 
the island. 


A Shoal of Herrings. 


179 


In the room intended for the kitchen we constructed a large fireplace, with a 
chimney j:>assing out at the top of the rock in which the cave was situated. 

All our provisions and tools had places of their own ; but, notwithstanding 
the enormous extent of the cavern, the greatest ingenuity was requisite to find room 
for our poultry and animals. Never since we had been on the island had we 
displayed so much skill and activity. At the same time we were continually 
stimulated to fresh labours by the satisfactory results we achieved. 

While we were employed in fitting up our grotto residence, we were obliged to 
take up our habitation at XJndertent, and our food consisted chiefly of turtles’ eggs 
and the flesh of a turtle or two which we caught as they came up on the beach to 
lay. It occurred to me that it would not be at all a bad thing to keep turtles, so 
that we could provide ourselves according to our needs, without the trouble of wait- 
ing to capture them. I also hit upon a plan for carrying out my idea. Whenever 
we saw a turtle on the beach, Fritz ran and cut off its retreat to the sea while we 
caught it and turned it over upon its back. Then with a drill we bored a hole in 
the edge of its shell, through which we passed a long cord, that we fastened to a 
stake. The turtle was thus at liberty to plunge into the sea again or to walk about 
on land as much as he pleased ; but he was not the less our prisoner, and we could 
make use of him when we wanted him. 

One morning as we were making our way from Falcon-nest to Deliverance Day, 
we were arrested by a strange sight out at sea. About a thousand paces from the 
shore, a vast extent of water seemed to be boiling, and sparkled vividly in the 
morning sun. Just over this brilliant wave-mass sailed a great cloud of sea-mews 
and other birds, which were screaming loudly. 

My boys were at a loss to conceive what the spectacle before us could portend. 

Fritz thought it might be the result of an earthquake caused by a subterranean 
volcano. 

My wife was of opinion that it was merely a sand-bank, forming perhaps the 
bar of the bay. 

Ernest advanced the theory that it was some sea-monster floating with his back 
on a level with the waves. 

The other boys, always ready to see the marvellous in the unknown, fell in with 
this idea at once. 

A few moments of quiet observation put me in possession of the truth. It 
became evident that we were witnessing the arrival of a shoal of herrings. 

“ You are not aware, perhaps,” I said to my boys, “ that these herrings swim 
in multitudes so innumerable, and in a body so densely packed, that they sometimes 
extend over a space of seveial leagues, and by the mere force of their numbers keep 
even the largest fishes from making a path through their ranks. These shoals are 
usually escorted by numbers of dolphins, sturgeons, and other large fish, which feed 
upon the stragglers ; while the sea-birds fly overhead, on the alert to dart down and 


180 


The Swiss Family Robinson, 


seize any young herrings that may rise too near the surface. In the hope of 
escaping from the enemies that pursue them in the deep water, the herrings take to 
the shallows, where large fish dare not venture ; but in escaping from the frying-pan 
they fall into the fire, for no sooner do they reach the shallows than they are taken 
in the nets of men. Innumerable quantities of them are caught j indeed there are 
whole villages, the people of which have no means of getting a living but their 
herring fisheries. One wonders how it is that so wholesale a destruction does not 
lead to the extinction of the race of herrings, until one learns that a single female 



LIGHTS AND SHADOWS IN THE GROTTO.—^:). 177 . 


of the species will deposit no less than fifty thousand eggs, each of which becomes a 
young herring in the course of a few weeks.” 

While I was speaking, the shoal drove further forward into the bay with such 
precipitation, that they tumbled over each other and leapt about in the most 
extraordinary manner. This movement on their parts explained the scintillations of 
the waves which we had noticed at first. 

I determined to organise a fishing excursion, in order to profit by this new 
resource that Providence had sent us. 

Fritz went into the sea with a basket, which it was only necessary to submerge 
in order to fill it with fish. I threw the herrings upon the sand. Francis picked 
them up and carried them to Ernest and James, who, with the help of their knives, 
disemboweled them in accordance with a method which I described. This done, 
I fetched the remaining casks of our old tub-boat, and placed the herrings in them 



The JDog-fish. 


181 


in layers, between each of which my wife scattered a good sprinkling of salt. When 
I had in this way filled all the casks, I closed them with some pieces of board, which 
I nailed down securely; and then, with the help of our donkey and cart, we 
transported our spoils to the new store-house in the grotto. 

This employment occupied three days. Scarcely had we finished when we 
found the bay was full of dog-fish, which no doubt had come in pursuit of the 
herrings. They sported in the water all day long, often swimming close up to the 
beach in their frolics, without appearing to be at all daunted by our presence. We 



“tethering” the turtles.— p. 179 . 


killed about a dozen of them, of which I preserved merely the skin and the fat. 
The former was destined to be made into harness for our cattle, and even into some 
kind of garments for our own use. The fat, after being melted, furnished us with a 
sort of oil, which enabled us to economise our stock of candles. 

We threw the flesh into Jackal Eiver, which was swarming with crabs. They 
came by thousands to feed upon the delicacy with which we had thus supplied them. 
The children caught a large number of them, which, at my suggestion, they placed 
in a box pierced with holes. The box was then weighted with stones and submerged 
in a shallow part of the river ; and we had a stock of crabs to draw upon at need. 

Nor was this the only measure we took to preserve living fish. Day by day, as 
the boys caught some new variety, we took the precaution to place it in some 
enclosure for breeding and for future use. Particularly we parked a hundred or two 
of our herrings. 


182 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


Our fisheries being at an end, we again proceeded vigorously with the fitting up 
of our subterranean dwelling-house. 

In examining some of the jDieces of rock that lay scattered about the floor of the 
cavern, I noticed that they appeared to have been detached from a vein of gypsum, 
of which plaster of Paris is made. Thereupon I carefully inspected the walls of 
the grotto, and at the far end, close by our store-house, discovered a plentiful supply 
of the valuable mineral. 

With a pickaxe I dug out several lumps, which we made red-hot in the fire, 
and which, being pulverised by the process, yielded an excellent plaster. 

This discovery enabled us to add finish to the hitherto rude results of our 
labour, and even to indulge in a little ornamentation. In the first place, however, 
I made use of our new-found plaster to lay a coating of it over the ends of our 
herring-barrels, to preserve their contents from the exterior air. Two of the tubs 
were left untouched, for I determined to try my hand at smoking herrings. I had 
read a description of the method adopted by the buccaneers to smoke fish, and I 
made up my mind to put it in practice. 

To this end we constructed, at some distance from the tent, a large hut of 
branches and reeds intermingled. The herrings were ranged upon hurdles, which 
we suspended one above another ; and underneath them we lighted a fire of moss 
and damp herbage, which gave forth an immense quantity of smoke. Then the hut 
was closed hermetically. By repeating this operation several times, I obtained a 
good supply of smoked herrings, well dried, of good colour and excellent flavour, 
which we packed in sacks and laid up in the store-house. 

About a month after we v/ere visited by the shoal of herrings, Jackal River 
was invaded by a quantity of salmon and sturgeon, which came up the stream, as 
their custom is, to spawn in fresh water. 

James, who was the first to notice these new visitors, took them for young 
whales. 

I had no difficulty in pointing out to him his error; and I cast about for 
some means of capturing a few of these fish, of which the flesh is very delicate 
eating. 

James, who remarked, or rather, perhaps, divined the nature of my reflections, 
darted off* at full speed, crying, ‘‘Wait a moment, papa ! wait a moment ! I think 
I know of a plan for catching sturgeon and salmon.” 

It was not long before he returned, carrying a bow, some arrows with barbed 
points, a ball of stout string, and two or three bladders which we had taken out of 
the dog-fish. 

Curious to see what he was going to do with these implements, his mother, his 
brothers, and I went with him to the bank of the river. 

Arrived there, he tied a piece of string round one of the bladders, and then 
fastened it to an arrow. The other end of the string he made fast to a huge stone 


Sturgeon. 


183 


at tlie water s edge. Then, drawing his bow, he sighted a huge salmon. The arrow 
sped swiftly on its mission, and buried itself in the side of the fish. 

“ A hit ! a hit !” cried the young archer, dancing with delight. 

The salmon darted ofi* like a flash of lightning, but soon found itself pulled up 
by the weight of the stone and the air in the bladder. The injury caused by so 
sudden a stoppage, joined with the rankling of the iron in his flesh, soon wore him 
out, and we were able to draw him to the bank without much difficulty. 

James’s ingenuity and success drove us all to emulation. Fritz went to seek 
the harpoon and windlass. I armed myself, like the god Neptune, with a trident. 
Ernest furnished himself with fish-hooks, which he baited with pieces of the first 
salmon caught. Salmon-fishing in every fashion began in earnest. 

James held to the method which had already stood him in such good stead. 
He discharged two or three arrows without hitting his mark, and when he did 
strike home, it was not without great difficulty that he landed his new victim. 

Ernest got a bite from a sturgeon, which, with the aid of little Francis and his 
mother, he managed to pull out. 

I struck two fish in succession, but could not capture either of them. My 
implement was the rudest of all. 

As to Fritz, he economised his labour. He refrained from throwing his harpoon 
till he saw passing within range a sturgeon which measured at least ten feet in 
length. Struck full in the back, the enormous creature struggled fiercely, leaping 
and making the water fly in every direction. We were obliged to let out all the 
rope in the windlass to prevent our important catch from escaping. Then, little by 
little, we drew him into the shallows. Even then, however, we were obliged to go 
into the water and slip a noose over his gills before we could drag him to land. 

The morning’s sport at an end, we cleaned our fish, and I put aside the roe of 
the sturgeon and the bladders for a particular use to which I designed to put them. 
The greater part of the flesh, after being cut in slices, was salted after the same 
manner as the herrings. 

I determined *to cure the rest in the same fashion as they cure the tunny-fish 
on the coasts of the Mediterranean. For this purpose I had some water boiled and 
strongly salted, which I poured into a tub containing the slices of fish, together with 
a small quantity of oil. 

My wife, not thinking that the roes and bladders were of any use, was about 
to throw them into the water, when I stopped her, observing that I intended to 
prepare from the roes a very choice dish which the Russians called “ caviare,” and 
from the bladders a valuable gelatinous substance called “ fish-glue.” 

Without further delay, I carefully washed the roes, which in the mass weighed 
about thirty pounds. We then laid them to soak in salt water for several hours. 
It now only remained to press them into our calabash sieves, where the water was 
all drained off, to obtain a dozen hard and compact cakes of caviare, which were 


184 


The Swiss Family Robinson, 


afterwards smoked in our curing-liut. Our stock of provisions for the winter was 
thus augmented by a delicacy for which kings have sometimes sighed in vain. 

I recollected to have read or heard tell of the process whereby fish-glue was 
prepared, and I resolved to put it in practice. I cut the bladders into strips, which 
I first laid in water to soften them, and then in the sun to dry them. We thus 
obtained a kind of shavings which, thrown into boiling water, would dissolve and 
yield a very pure gelatine. This gelatine, poured upon a flat surface, formed in 
cooling a highly-transparent film, which I hoped would serve to glaze our windows. 


SALMON-SHOOTING.— p. 183 . 



The garden at TJndertent was remarkably fertile, and yielded, almost without 
culture, excellent vegetables of every kind. We had only to water it to bring forth 
its products in rich abundance j and even this operation gave us very little trouble, 
for by this time we had laid down the two halves of the sago-palm, and a plentiful 
supply of water was thus brought upon the ground from Jackal River. 

The greater part of the plants were perfectly acclimatised already. The trailing 
stalks of the melons and cucumbers were loaded with fruit ; the ananas gave rich 
promise of future treasures; the maize showed ripening ears everywhere. Judging 
by the condition of the garden close to our home, we argued well of those further 
removed from us. In the morning we set out in a body to visit them. 

On the road to Falcon-nest we made a halt in the old potato-field, which my 
wife had sown with' all kinds of seeds after gathering in her harvest of tubers. 


The Maize-Field. 


185 



ALARM IN THE MAIZE-FIELD.— 186 . 


There also we were met by marvels in vegetation. Barley, peas, lentils, millet, oats, 
and several other cereals were growing in abundance. 

I wondered where my wife had managed to find enough seed to sow so large a 
piece of land ; and I was especially struck with a part of the field which was 
covered with a tall and thick growth of maize, come to full maturity. The richness 


186 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


of the vegetation had, no doubt, brought a great many destructive parasites to the 
spot : we could see their traces everywhere. As we approached the maize-field to 
cut some of it for present use, we disturbed a half-dozen bustards, which flew off 
with a great beating of wings; while a large number of smaller birds, amongst which 
I recognised the quail, ran away as fast as their legs could carry them. Two or 
three kangaroos also went hopping away, and our dogs followed them, but without 
being able to make a capture. 

Fritz, who had his eagle with him, put it up, and it pounced skilfully upon one 
of the bustards, which it brought down — merely wounding and not killing it, how- 
ever, so that we were able to add it to our other poultry. 

James’s jackal, which began by this time to ba a keen hunter, brought in some- 
thing like a dozen quails, which were very fat, and furnished us with an excellent 
repast. 

We now resumed our journey, and by the middle of the afternoon found our- 
selves once more at Falcon-nest. As the heat of the day and our long walk had 
made us very thirsty, my wife proposed to prepare us a new beverage. Bruising 
some grains of the maize, which were still very soft, she squeezed them in a cloth, 
and obtained a thick liquid, which she diluted with water and sweetened with the 
juice of some sugar-canes. This done, she presented each of us with a cup of milky 
liquor, as pleasant to the taste as it was refreshing. 

The remainder of the day was employed in removing our maize from the husk, 
and in making preparations for the execution of a project which I had conceived 
some time before. My idea was to establish in the open country a sort of colony of 
animals, which, if they acclimatised themselves and propagated their species, would 
relieve us of the troublesome task of tending and feeding them. I felt that there 
was no great danger in making the attempt, for by this time our barn-yard was so 
full of poultry and other live stock, that we could risk the sacrifice of at least one of 
each species without feeling the loss of them. 


CHAPTER XXIIL 

THE COTTON PLANT. FOREST GRANGE. THE DUCK-BILL. THE PIROGUE. 

FRANCIS* CHARGE. 

The next morning, then, at daybreak we set out, having previously loaded our car 
< — in addition to a supply of provisions — with ten fowls, two cocks, three young 
pigs, and two pairs of goats. The cow, the buffalo, and the ass were yoked to it. 
Fritz, mounted on the onager, went on some distance in front of the caravan to 
reconnoitre. 

Our course was directed towards a point of our domains which we had not yet 


The Cotton Plant. 


187 


explored — that is to say, towards the region which extended from Falcon-nest to the 
large bay beyond Cape Disappointment. 

At the outset of the journey we had frequently to open a road with our 
hatchets, for we traversed fields obstructed with high grass and thickets ; but soon 
the caravan reached a small wood, on leaving which we saw before us a plateau 
covered with shrubs, which appeared to be loaded with white flakes. 

“ Snow ! snow !” cried Frank joyously, and he jumped up from the bottom of 
the carriage, where he was sitting. “ Here is a country where they have winters 
of the right sort : it is not like Falcon-nest, where it does nothing but rain half 
the year.” 

And repeating “Snow! snow!” he ran forward quickly with the intention of 
making a snow- ball. 

We all laughed at the simplicity of his remarks. 

It was not long before I got an insight into the nature of the supposed snow. 
“Well,” said I to our young scholar, who was still greatly amused at his brother’s 
mistake, “ do you know the name of these shrubs ?” 

“As far as I can judge,” he replied, with a certain air of importance, “they are 
the cotton-plant ; and if it should prove so, it will be easy to make an ample pro- 
vision of cotton without much trouble.” 

'He was right. The field presented a very curious spectacle. The pods of 
the plants, arrived at maturity, had burst, allowing the escape of the down with 
which they were filled. Part of it still fluttered on the branches of the shrubs. 
A large quantity had been stripped off by the wind, and lay scattered about, 
whitening all the ground. 

This discovery was a source of much rejoicing to us all. My wife was parti- 
cularly delighted. She immediately asked me if it would not be possible for us to 
construct a weaving-loom, for she already foresaw a means of renewing our stock 
of linen, which was much worn. 

I promised her that I would think of some method of meeting her wishes. 

Meanwhile we made a point of filling those of our sacks which were empty 
with the cotton. My wife collected also a quantity of the seeds of the ^fiant, which 
she proposed to sow in the vicinity of Undertent, with the view 'of obtaining a 
supply of cotton nearer home. 

Our harvest finished, we continued our journey. Soon we reached a small hill, 
from the top of which we obtained a magnificent view. The sides of it were covered 
with the most gorgeous vegetation. At the foot of it was the plain that we pro- 
posed to traverse, fertilised by a large river. 

The whole family approved when I proposed to select this spot for the carrying 
out of our project. 

A tent was soon erected. A fire was made, and our good housewife, assisted 
by Francis and James, occupied herself in preparing a repast. 


188 


Tre Swiss Family Robinson. 



During this time, accompanied by Dritz and Ernest, I explored the neighbour- 
hood, in order to become acquainted with the country, and to choose the most 
favourable spot for the settling of the colony. 

I remarked a group of trees placed so conveniently each with regard to the 
other, that I resolved on making them serve as the pillars of the farmery which we 
purposed to construct. 

Our plans completed for the next day’s work, we returned to the tent, where 
an excellent supper awaited us. 

My wife distributed the cotton we had collected into bundles, so that we 
all had comfortable pillows for our heads ; and we enjoyed our slumbers that night 
more than we had done for a long time past. 

The trees which I had chosen for the construction of the hut were six in 

number, and formed an 
oblong, one side of which 
faced the sea. 

In the trunks of 
the first three — I thus 
designated those which 
were nearest the shore — 
I cut, at about a dozen 
feet from the ground, 
some notches, into which 
I fixed a strong pole. I 
then repeated the pro- 
cess with the trunks of 
the other three trees — 
FRUITS IN UNDERTENT GARDEN.— p. 184. here, however, fixing my 

pole at a height of only 

eight feet. I then laid a row of smaller poles from the higher to the lower level, 
to form a roof, which I covered with strips of bark, to supply the place of tiles. 

With wild vines and flexible reeds, woven strongly together, I then built up 
four outer walls to the height of five feet. In the open space between the top of 
these and the roof I placed some trellis-work, which allowed the air and light to 
penetrate to the interior. 

The door was made facing the sea, in what we intended to be the front of the 
building. 

The inside was so fitted as best to meet the end we had in view, with the least 
expenditure of wood. 

A partition, raised to half the height of the building, separated it into two un- 
equal divisions, the largest of which was intended for the sheepfold. I set apart 
here a place for the fowls, shutting it off from the rest of the compartment by a 


Forest Grange." 


189 V 


palisade, the bars of which, while allowing free ingress and egress for the feathered 
tribe, were too close together to permit of the passage of larger animals. 

A door led from the sheepfold into the other part of the cabin, which we fitted 
up as a temporary lodging-place for ourselves. 



All this had been done very (juickly, and by conse(][uence somewhat roughly j 
but I promised myself to endeavour to improve matters when we had a little spare 
time. For the present it sufSced that our live stock had a place of shelter. 

In order to accustom them to return in the evening to their stable, the troughs 
were filled with grain mixed with salt, 
and it was agreed that this enticement 
should be renewed until our winged 
and four-footed colonists were habitu- 
ated to their new dwelling. 

Our labours, which we had im- 
agined would have lasted only three or 
four days, occupied us for more than a 
week. So that our supply of provisions 
had nearly come to an end. 

We did not wish, however, to re- 
turn to Falcon-nest until we had com- 
pletely established our farmery. I 
therefore sent Fritz and James to renew 
our stock of food, and also to furnish 
the live stock we had left behind with 
provisions enough to last for several 
clays. Our two messengers took the 
ass to bring back their load, and the 
onager and bufialo to ride on them- 
selves. COTTON PLANT.— p. 187. 

During their absence I went with 

Ernest over the surrounding neighbourhood, both in the hope of finding potatoes 
and cocoa-nuts, and for the purpose of making a more careful survey of the place. 

We first ascended a small stream as far as the point at which we had crossed it 
on the old road known to us already. Thence, a short walk brought us to a small 
lake, the aspect of which was most picturesque. Its banks were covered with 
wild rice, from which a large number of birds arose with a great noise at our 
approach, being no doubt disturbed while making a delicious meal. 

I succeeded in shooting five or six of the flock while they were on the wing, 
bub my skill would have been of no use had not the jackal, who had followed us, 
jumped into the water and brought them to land. 

A little further on, Master Nip, who was riding as usual upon the back of 


190 


' The Swiss Family Eobinson, 


Fan, leapt precipitately from liis seat, and dashed into a small tliicket, where I 
discovered him regaling himself on some magnificent strawberries. 

We could not certainly have met with anything more refreshing to our 
parched palates. 

We found the delicious fruit in such abundance that we could not only satiate 
ourselves, but also fill Nip’s knapsack-basket, which I covered with a clean cloth and 
some leaves, and tied down securely — a necessary precaution where the porter was 
not unlikely to do himself the pleasure of upsetting his load, with the ulterior 
purpose of feasting off it. 

I gathered some ears of rice, in order to ascertain whether, by cooking, they 
could be made to serve us as food. 

In repassing the lake, we saw some magnificent olack swan. They were 
occupied in complacently admiring their own reflection in the water, and in dipping 
swiftly for their food. I could not find it in my heart to disturb so beautiful 
and novel a spectacle by firing off my gun; but Fan did not participate in my 
admiration. She dashed into the water before we had time to think of stopping her, 
and emerged Avith an animal of so strange a form that I mistook it at first for an 
otter. We possessed ourselves of the creature, which was already dead, before 
the dog had time to rend it, and I examined it in detail. The feet were pro- 
vided with a web for swimming. It had a long bushy tail, very small head, and 
hardly any eyes or ears. The snout — or rather, perhaps, we should say the beak — 
resembled that of the duck. 

So singular a combination of peculiarities set me laughing, buti it embarrassed 
me not a little. My knowledge of natural history gave me no clue to the identifi- 
cation of a creature which seemed compounded of bird, fish, and quadruped. 

Thinking it might be an animal unknown to naturalists, I gave it, without 
more consideration, the name of “The Billed Animal.” I announced to Ernest 
that we would carry it home, for I proposed to stuff and preserve it as a rarity. 

• “ I know what it is,” said our young scholar ; “ it is the Ornithorhyncus 'parob- 

doocus, Duck-bill, or Duck-billed Platypus. I have read a description of it in one 
of the captain’s books. It has not a little puzzled learned men.” 

“Well,” replied I, laughing, “it will furnish the first contribution to our 
museum of natural history in the grotto.” 

Loaded with our spoil, we returned to the farmery, which we reached nearly at 
the same time as Fritz and James, who informed me in detail of what they had 
done at Falcon-nest. I found, to my satisfaction, that they had not only attended 
to my directions, but had also thought of several other matters requiring attention. 

The next day, after having supplied with an abundant provision of food the 
live stock which we left behind, we quitted the farmery, to which we had given the 
name of Forest Grange. 

In the first wood which we passed through on our route we encountered a 


The Pirogue. 


191 


troop of monkeys, that welcomed us with the most horrible screams, accompanied by 
a shower of fir-cones. I fired into the air several times, in order that we might 
be relieved of their embarrassing attentions. On examining some of the cones 
which they had thrown at us, I found they had a very agreeable taste, and were 
of a kind that would yield an excellent oil. I recommended the youngsters to 
make an abundant provision of them. We then resumed our journey, and were 
not long in arriving at Cape Disappointment, on which I had resolved to put up 
a hut, which should serve us as a fishing-place when we made excursions along 
the coast. 

We set vigorously to work. Our experience at Forest Grange had given us 
the skill which comes with practice; and in less than a week we finished the 
building, which was honoured by our young scholar with the name of “ Prospect 
Hill.” 

For some time I had been on the look-out for a tree, the bark of which I had 
read would make a canoe, combining strength and lightness; and although my 
search had been so far fruitless, I had not lost all hope of succeeding in my object. 

As soon as the hut was finished, my boys and I explored the surrounding 
neighbourhood, which abounded in rare trees. We found several that we should 
have deemed oaks by their height and foliage, had not their fruit, although much 
resembling acorns, shown us otherwise by their extreme smallness. 

After having chosen one that seemed to me most suitable for the object we 
had in view, Fritz and I attached to the lower branches of it the rope-ladder 
which we had brought with us from Falcon-nest. Mounted upon this, Fritz 
proceeded to saw through the bark at the top of the trunk until he came to the 
wood, while I performed a similar operation at the base. I then stripped off a 
narrow riband of bark, extending from the one incision to the other, and by 
means of wooden wedges, cautiously forced into the opening, separated the rest of 
the covering in one solid piece. As the tree was full of sap, and the bark conse- 
quently very fiexible, that portion of our task was perfectly successful ; but the most 
difficult part still remained to be performed, and that was to convert the spoil into 
a pirogue or savage’s canoe. 

While the bark was yet moist and supple, I gave it the shape required. I cut 
with my hatchet a slit in the two ends, lapped the parts thus separated over each 
other, and nailed them together again in such a manner that they formed a 
point at each extremity. We had thus advanced one stage in the work of shaping 
our contrivance for easy navigation. Still, the pirogue was entirely flat in the 
middle ; so I had recourse to ropes, and by a judicious tying down here and bracing 
up there, managed to get the sides of the boat into something like their proper 
shape. 

But as I could not finish my task without the assistance of my tools, I sent 
Fritz and James to the tent to bring the truck, to which I had fixed the wheels of a 


192 ^ 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


cannon found aboard tbe wreck, proposing to place the pirogue on it and transport 
it to a more convenient spot, in order to finish it. 

While waiting for their return, Ernest and I made an excursion into our 
immediate neighbourhood, where we found a certain tree called Fire-wood by the 
Indians, and which they employ when requiring a light for their nocturnal ex- 
peditions. I cut, on our journey, some pieces of wood of a shape that would serve 
for the ribs of the pirogue. We also discovered at the same time a new resin which, 
when dry, was firm and impervious to water ; and remembering that it would be 



BLACK SWAN LAKE,— p. 189 . 


far preferable both to the gums we had and also to turpentine for coating our 
pirogue, we collected a quantity of it. 

Fritz and James did not rejoin us until darkness had begun to set in; and 
as it was then too late to commence operations, we put off work till the morrow. 

The first thing in the morning we placed our canoe on the car, together with 
the pieces of wood and other things which we thought might prove useful to us, 
and set out for Undertent. We stopped at Falcon-nest about two hours, which 
gave us sufficient time to dine and feed our animals. 

We reached the tent some time before sunset, but were too tired to do an3rfching 
that evening. The whole of the next day was employed in finishing the boat. In 
order to strengthen it, I nailed a piece of cui-ved wood to each end, and furnished it 
with a solid keel running its whole length. Along the top we placed a ledge of 


The Fibogue. 


193 



MAKING THE PIROGUE. 


flexible laths and poles, furnished with rings, through which to pass the cordage 
belonging to the mast. 

I threw into the bottom as ballast some stones and clay, and covered it over 
with a floor, upon which we could stand and walk about comfortably. Movable 
seats were placed across. Our mast, furnished with a triangular sail, was placed in 
the middle. A rudder was fixed astern. 

A happy idea occurred to me, whereby our little craft could be rendered more 
buoyant. I got my wife to make some air-tight bags from the skin of the dog-fish. 
These I filled with air, and after having given them a coat of varnish, I fastened 
them to the outside of the bulwarks. These air-bladders not only aided us in 
launching our vessel, but also prevented it from being capsized and submerged. 

I have omitted to mention in its proper place the fact of our cow having 
presented us with a male calf, a little while after the rainy season. This animal 
was already grown to a size which I thought could he turned to account ; and sp 
one evening, when we were all assembled, I requested advice on the subject. 

Ernest thought the best plan would be to train the young bull to fight, as 
did the Hottentots. As his brothers had not heard of anything of the kind before, 
he explained : “ The Hottentots,” he said, “ inhabit a country infested with wild 

13 


194 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


beasts ; and tbeir flocks, wbich are their sole support, would soon be destroyed if they 
had not, as protectors, bulls trained to fight. These valiant champions take charge 
of their masters’ herds in the pasturage, being careful to keep them together in one 
spot. When they perceive danger menacing them, they force the herd into the 
form of a circle, the weaker of the animals occupying the centre, while the others 
are ranged around. When the enemy advances, he finds he has to face a rampart of 
long and well-pointed horns, and at sight of the preparation made for his reception 
it is very rarely that he does not retrace his footsteps. The lion, however, is not so 
easily intimidated, and the bulls, in order to save the herd, are often forced to 
generously sacrifice their own lives. The same courageous animals are also employed 
in the wars which take place among the Hottentots themselves, and it is very 
often to their valour that victory on one side or the other is attributable.” 

This account delighted the boys beyond measure ; but as we had neither 
herds to protect, nor a probable war looming in the future, ‘it was decided that 
our young bull should simply receive an ordinary education. But it remained to 
be decided to which of them the care of his education should be entrusted. 

The indolent Ernest had enough to do with his ape ; the onager furnished 
sufficient occupation to Fritz; James, the most enterprising of all, was more heavily 
burdened than any of them. His bufialo and his jackal left him no leisure what- 
ever. The ass was our good housewife’s scholar. I had the general supervision of 
all the animals. Francis alone had no educational employment. 

“ Come, little man,” I said, “ what do you say to undertaking the education of 
the calf?” 

“ The very thing, father !” cried he, clapping his hands. “ The calf is a gentle 
creature ; I will be kind to him, and give him everything that he likes ; and although 
I am young I shall succeed in the end. First and foremost, I will call my pupil 
‘ Grumbler;’ for before his education is finished, I have no doubt he will give vent 
to many growls and murmurs.” 

The name was considered appropriate by the boys, who straightway set to work 
to find names for the bufialo and the two puppies. James proposed to call the 
bufialo “ Storm;” for it would be a fine thing, in his view, to hear his brothers cry 
out when he approached, “ Here comes James, riding on the ‘ Storm !’ ” The dogs 
were called, the one “Brown” and the other “Fawn,” in accordance with their 
respective colours. 

During two whole months we were employed in putting up partitions to 
separate the cavern into compartments, in order to render our habitation as agree- 
able as possible ; the embellishment and finishing off our work we reserved for the 
winter. 

The great quantity of beams, planks, and other materials which we j^ossessed, 
rendered our work less difficult than we had at first imagined. 

O 

The floor of our chamber was covered by a thick bed of clay, over which was 


The Anniversary of our Deliverance, 


195 


placed a quantity of small pebbles, laid closely and evenly together. The plaster 
with which we had covered our walls, I calculated, would be properly dried by the 
end of the summer. The idea occurred to us to utilise the hair of our goats and the 
wool of our sheep in the fabrication of carpets for the floors of our dining and 
sitting rooms. In order to do this, we placed on a piece of sailcloth a layer of hair, 
which we had previously carded, and which I wetted with flsh-glue melted in boiling 
water. I then rolled up the cloth, and we set to belabouring it with all our might 
^vith large sticks. The operation with the glue was again gone through, as was also 
the beating, which was this time long and vigorous. We then unrolled the sail- 
cloth, and removed from it a long strip of felt, which, when dried in the sun, 
answered perfectly the object we had in view. Our carpets were not Turkish ones, 
but they had their merit for us. 


CHAPTER XXIY. 

THE ANNIVERSARY OF OUR DELIVERANCE. 

One morning I awoke earlier than usual, and getting up without disturbing the rest 
of the family, I tried to make a reckoning of the time that had passed since we first 
set foot upon the island on which we now found ourselves. 

My calculations, to my great astonishment, led me to the conclusion that we 
were on the very eve of the anniversary of that day which was at once so unfor- 
tunate and so fortunate for us. 

I fell into a profound reverie upon the events of the past twelve months, the 
complexion of which became far more sad than I had wished it to be ; and, awaking 
to a sense of my position, I accused myself of the basest ingratitude. 

It flashed upon me in an instant that God had not only snatched us from a 
terrible death, but that in his transcendent goodness he had found us an asylum in 
a chosen land, a kind of terrestrial paradise, where every labour we had engaged in 
had had its recompense, and where even the least of our efibrts had been attended 
with a visible blessing. A hymn of gratitude arose spontaneously from my soul to 
Him who had so benignantly watched over the welfare of my beloved wife and our 
little ones. I determined that I would not allow so important an epoch in our lives 
to pass by without some signal celebration of it ; and I resolved to consecrate the 
day to a solemn commemoration of the- blessings we had received both in the past 
and in the present. 

That evening at supper, as I had not decided upon my course for the morrow — 
“ Children,” I said to my boys, “ to-morrow is a memorable day — a day to be remem- 
bered as long as life lasts. Let us never forget it. It is the anniversary of our 
miraculous deliverance from the wrecked vessel, and our debarcation upon this 


196 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


charming island. I intend that we shall keep it as a solemn feast-day, so be up 
early to celebrate it.” 

This news astonished the children. They could not realise the fact that we had 
already lived a year in our delightful solitude. 

“ Are you not wrong in your calculations ?” asked my wife, much moved. “Is 
it possible that we have been here a year already ? ” 

“I am not mistaken, my love,” I replied. “We were stranded on the 30th of 
January, twelve months ago. A calendar, which I was fortunate enough to save, 
carried us through eleven months. Since then, four weeks and three days have 
passed by, and to-morrow is the 1st of February, the day we landed on this island. 
To-morrow, therefore, we will celebrate the anniversary of our deliverance. And as 

our library fails to sup- 
ply us with a new al- 
manac, we must hence- 
forth take care of our 
chronology for our- 
selves.” 

“That is easy 
enough to do,” said Er- 
nest. “We have only 
to follow Eobinson Cru- 
soe’s example — to cut a 
notch in a stick every 
day, and then divide the 
product into weeks and 
months and years.” 

The boy’s plan ap- 
peared to me to be an excellent one. I asked him several questions upon the 
calendar and the methods of regulating it ; and as his answers astonished me by 
their invariable correctness, I good-humouredly named him astronomer of the whole 
colony, and gave him charge of the chronology of our domains. 

“ Our astronomer, father,” he replied modestly, “ is our library. What a for- 
tunate thing that we were able to save so many valuable books !” 

“ Books !” said little Francis. “ I am very fond of books.” 

“Idle little boy!” said his mother fondly; “you must leai’u what there is inside 
them before you can be fond of them.” 

“ But, mamma,” returned the urchin, “ I much prefer to play with Fan, or run 
about with James, or work with you in the garden. Is it wrong to do these things?” 

“ No,” said his mother, “ not at present ; but as you grow bigger you must 
learn to read also. All kinds of good things are to be found in books — things that 
are useful and things that are entertaining. As you become older, and especially 



The Anniversary of our Deliverance. 


197 


when you become a man, you will feel this much more strongly than you 
do now.” 

“ But, dear mamma,” said the little fellow in all simplicity, “ I am getting quite 
old already. I am twelve months older now than I was this time last year !” 

After the laughter provoked by Francises naive remark had died away, the con- 
versation again turned upon the measuring of time. 

I questioned Ernest closely on one point. 

“ It is quite true, as you have said,” I observed, “ that the year is composed of 
three hundred and sixty-five days, five hours, forty- eight minutes, and forty- three 
seconds ; but do not these odd hours, minutes, and seconds throw you out in your 
calculations when you come to a series of j’^ears 

“ No, father,” he replied. “We add them altogether every four years, and that 
makes nearly an extra day, which we put on to the month of February. It is thus 
that every fourth year becomes bissextile or leap-year.” 

“ Father,” said Fritz, “ I can never remember which of the months have thirty- 
one days and which of them have only thirty.” 

“Nevertheless,” I replied, “you have upon your hand a means of telling — a 
calendar which can never be lost.” 

“ A calendar upon his hand !” exclaimed James. 

“ Yes, upon his hand, my child. Shut your left hand, and look carefully at the 
last row of knuckles, without taking account of the thumb. What do you see ?” 

“Nothing,” replied James. 

“And you, Fritz 1” 

“ I see four round knobs and three indentations,” said Fritz. 

“Very well,” I added; “now name the months of the year, touching at the 
same time each knuckle and indentation in turn, beginning with the fore-finger, and 
returning thither to begin again when you have reached the little finger. What 
do you find 

“Why,” said Fritz, “that the months of January, March, May, July, August, 
October, and December fall upon the knuckles, while the others fall into the inden- 
tations.” 

“ Exactly,” I replied ; “ and there is the secret revealed. The knuckles repre- 
sent the months having thirty-one days, and the indentations those having thirty 
days, excepting in the case of February, which has twenty-nine days in leap-year, 
and twenty-eight at other times.” 

This plan of assisting the memory pleased the boys greatly, and for some time 
after they did little else but count up the months on their knuckles. 

We talked late into the evening, and then prepared for bed. 

“I shall cook you a grand dinner for the fete to-morrow,” said my wife, as she 
kissed the children and bade them good-night. 

Pre-occupied with the thought of what was in store for them, the boys lay 


198 


The Swiss Family Bobinson, 


p‘ 


awake for a long time ; and I heard them asking each other in whispers what they 
thought I had in preparation, and of what the fete would consist ? 

I feigned to hear nothing, and left them to their conjectures and to sleep. 

The next morning at daybreak, a cannon, shot from the sea-shore, awoke us 
with a start. We leapt up at once, and looked at each other with surprise. We 
hardly knew whether to be alarmed or pleased at the unaccustomed noise. It might 
be a vessel from our dear fatherland, or it might be the signal of a hostile attack. 
All at once I noticed that neither Fritz nor James was in his bed, and I was at 
once reassured. 

They entered a moment or two afterwards. 

‘‘Well, what did you think of our thunder?” asked James, with evident self- 
satisfaction. 

Fritz, who noticed that I was not well-pleased with the trick they had played 
us, said, “ Pardon, father, the liberty we have taken in opening the feast of our 
dehverance with cannon. We only thought of the agreeable surprise we should 
cause you, and never considered that we should disturb you in your sleep, and cause 
you unnecessary alarm.” 

I gave them to understand that I blamed them less for having so rudely 
awakened and even frightened us, than for having expended in pure waste so large a 
quantity of gunpowder. It was our most precious treasure, I said, for our stock of 
it was limited, and we could not replace it. 

Nevertheless, they had acted with so good an intention, and had returned home 
so full of joy, that I could not find it in my heart to damp the ardour of their 
spirits. So I changed the subject, and we were soon as much at our ease as if 
nothing untoward had occurred. 

Immediately after breakfast, which we took in the open air in front of our 
grotto, I opened the solemnities of the day by reading my journal, in order that we 
might have fresh in our memories all the circumstances of our deliverance. 

Then came the usual Sabbath exercises, with a special thanksgiving added for 
the day ; and after that we took a walk to the spot where we had first landed, at 
the mouth of Jackal Piver in Deliverance Bay. 

On our return my wife served us up a delicious repast, consisting of two roasted 
owls and a dish of prepared cream, which was appetising to the last degree. 

Dinner ended, I left the table and gave the signal to the boys. 

“Now, boys,” I said, “prepare to give brilliant proofs of your skill in 
gymnastics. Splendid prizes will be awarded to the victors !” 

The youths responded to my appeal in the English fashion — that is, with a loud 
hurrah. 

Our feathered tribe, frightened out of their propriety by the uproar, set up so 
excited a cackling that the boys burst into a roar’ of laughter, and then, joining 
hands and walking in a circle, struck up the old round : — 


The Anniversary of our Deliverance. 199 


“ To tlie figlit, noble soldiers ! — to the fight ! 

Blow the trumpet — blow with all your might. 

We will conquer or will die ere 'tis night.” 

I decided Chat we should begin our sports with a shooting- match. 

In the first place we set up, at about fifty paces distance, a piece of board cut 
somewhat in the shape and of the size of a kangaroo. Two smaller pieces of wood 
nailed upon the upper part represented the ears of the animal, and a leathern strap 
its tail. Two sticks served for its fore-legs. The whole contrivance was tilted for- 
ward and rested upon these legs, so that it might as nearly as possible represent the 
animal in its sitting posture. 

Then each of the boys, little Francis excepted, took aim and fired twice. Fritz, 
who was a good shot, struck the head both times. Ernest, less clever, lodged one 
ball in the lower part of the body. James missed his first shot altogether, but with 
the second he somehow or other managed to knock ofiT both our wooden kangaroo’s 
ears. We hailed his success with a noisy burst of laughter. 

We next made a match with pistols; and here again Fritz was the most 
successful. 

I then told the boys to load their guns with small shot, and when they were 
ready threw up an old hat for each of them to fire at and hit before it came to the 
ground. 

In this sport, the cautious and self-contained Ernest showed almost as much 
skill as Fritz ; while the precipitate J ames, on the other hand, was unable to lodge a 
single shot in the flying target. 

In archery practice, which I now introduced to save our powder, I was pleased 
to see that all my boys had acquired considerable skill. I attached great importance 
to this exercise, because it would stand us in good stead when our stock of gun- 
ammunition failed, as some day it must do. 

Little Francis, who was now admitted to the competition, showed himself so 
good an archer, that he was crowned by his brothers with a chaplet of leaves, which, 
in the first flush of childish pride he would not have changed for an emperor’s 
diadem. 

We now took a few minutes’ rest to prepare for a running-match. I had 
selected for the course the road between the grotto and Falcon-nest, and required 
that the runner who arrived first at the goal should bring me back a knife which I 
had left on the table. 

The three elder boys were the competitors. 

At the agreed signal Fritz and James darted ofi at full speed, while Ernest, 
evidently with a well-defined purpose, set out at a measured trot which he could 
maintain for almost any length of time. Although he was far behind his brothers 
now, I judged it not unlikely that he would prove the winner in the end. 

An hour after I saw James returning, seated comfortably on his bufialo. 


200 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“Oh, oh! my young cavalier!” I cried; “it is not of the agility of your 
buffalo that we wish to judge, but of the swiftness of your own legs.” 

“ I am not so foolish as to wear myself out with running when there is nothing 
to be got by it,” he replied, dismounting. “ When I saw clearly that in spite of all 
my efforts I should be the last at the goal, I renounced the prize in a trice, and 
on reaching Ealcon-nest, mounted my buffalo in order to return home with my 
brothers.” 

While he was yet speaking, Fritz arrived breathless, and some distance behind 
him came Ernest, holding the knife, the proof of victory. 

On my expressing surprise that he, the victor, should permit himself to be 
distanced on the return-journey, he coolly replied that, having achieved the prize, he 

saw no more reason to 
hurry himself. 

I could not repress 
a smile at an answer so 
perfectly in accord with 
the deliberate indolence 
of our young professor. 

I then desired the 
boys to give us a proof 
of their nimbleness in 
climbing. 

James at once ran 
towards a tall palm, 
which he swiftly as- 
cended ; and then, giving 
himself no time for rest, 
he came down again with the agility of a squirrel. He scaled another tree with 
equal swiftness, and then a third. It was a sight to see him as he threw himself 
from branch to branch, turning over them with ease, and making the oddest 
grimaces. 

Fritz and Ernest were the first to applaud his performances, and they both 
declared themselves incapable of outdoing or even of equalling him. 

James was not less skilful in riding, and Fritz was the only one who ventured 
to compete with him. They both galloped off without saddle or stirrups, leaping 
often to the ground and remounting while their animals were at full speed. They 
had nothing to hold by but the manes of their beasts ; but they kept their seats 
admirably. 

Ernest declared that feats of this kind were beyond his powers, and he declined 
to enter the competition. 

Francis, who had hitherto been playing the part of a spectator, now desired us 



OUR KANGAROO TARGET.— 2?. 199 . 




THE FAMOUS BULL-TAMER.— p. 202, 




202 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


to bear witness to liis skill in riding Grumbler, the calf. His mother bad made 
the animal a saddle of kangaroo-skin, while a copper ring had been passed through 
his nose. In this guise he was trotted out in front of us with much ceremony. 

“ Attention, ladies and gentlemen ! attention !” cried the little fellow in as gruff 
a voice as he could command. “ The famous bull-tamer is about to give you a 
specimen of his skill and prowess !” 

Still crowned with his chaplet of leaves, he executed several pretty evolutions, 
and then proceeded to show us how obedient the animal was. At the mere sound 
of his voice it would go and come, turn round, walk, trot, gallop. Finally, it knelt 
down for its little master to dismount and receive our compliments. 

This exhibition at an end, we went down to the beach, where a swimming- 
match was to bring the day’s sports to an end. 

Fritz carried off all the honours of this part of the day’s contests. How swim- 
ming, now diving, never resting, always active, it seemed as if the water were his 
natural element. Ernest, on the contrary, was too timid to go out of his depth ; 
while James swam with so much impetuosity at first, that he soon tired, and was 
obliged to come to land again. The attempts of Francis were so full of promise 
that we predicted he would become a skilful swimmer. 

As the sun was sinking slowly behind the horizon, we returned to our dwelling, 
whither my wife had gone before in order to receive us with all the dignity belong- 
ing to a distributor of prizes — to which office I had, with the consent of all her 
children, appointed her. 

We found her seated upon a chair of state decorated with leaves. The prize- 
takers defiled before her and stood in a half- circle round her improvised throne, 
awaiting, like knights of old, the rewards of their valour. 

With charming gracefulness she handed to each his prize, giving with it a few 
words of praise and encouragement and a tender maternal kiss. 

Fritz received, as his prizes for skill in shooting and swimming, an English* 
double-barrelled gun and a beautiful hunting-knife which he had long desired to 
possess. 

Ernest, who was the winner in the running-match, received a gold watch 
similar to that possessed by Fritz. 

James received a pair of spurs and an English whip, which pleased him better 
than anything else that could have been given him. To smack his whip loudly 
seemed to be the one business of his life. 

As to little Francis, we gave him a pair of small spurs and an ivory-handled 
riding-whip. 

I then advanced to the foot of the throne, and, amid the plaudits of all my 
children, presented the queen of the jousts with a handsome work-box containing a 
number of usefid articles for a housewife — such as scissors, thimbles, needle-cases, 
bobbins, threads, and so on. 


Birdlime. 


203 


My dear wife was as mucli surprised as she was charmed with her present, and 
begged me to tell her where I had obtained the little treasure. 

I told her that I had found it one day upon the wreck, and had hidden it in 
order to give her an agreeable surprise some day and an acknowledgment of all her 
care of us. 

The children begged me to let them close the feast of our deliverance, as they 
had begun it, by firing ofi* a cannon. I gave them permission to do so, but desired 
them not to use too much powder, observing, in order to console them, that by stop- 
ping up the mouth of the cannon with grass they could quintuple the noise of the 
detonation. 

^‘What a splendid report!” cried James, after the piece had been fired. “It 
quite stunned me.” 

Night crept on apace. After supper and prayer, we laid ourselves to rest on 
our soft beds of cotton, and a night of peaceful re2)ose followed a day which left 
behind it the pleasantest memories. 


CHAPTER XXY. 

BIRDLIME. AN ADVENTURE OF JAMES’s. PREPARATIONS FOR THE WINTER. — AN EX- 
PEDITION AGAINST THE MONKEYS. DIVERS LABOURS, — THE RAINS AGAIN. 

About a month later, we were spending a day at Falcon-nest, when we noticed 
that the trees were filled with thrushes, ortolans, and wild pigeons, as they had been 
at the same period last year ; and we resolved to lay in another stock of these 
delicate game, to be preserved in butter or fat. We were all to take part in the 
sport ; and, as I desired to economise our powder as much as possible, I hit upon the 
notion of having recourse to a birdlime which I fancied I could make with resin, 
caoutchouc, and a little grease. 

Our supply of caoutchouc being nearly exhausted, I sent Fritz and James to the 
wood where the trees whence it exuded grew. They had no trouble to renew our 
store, for when we were last there we had made numberless incisions in the trunks, 
and placed large gourd-vessels below to receive the gum as it trickled out. 

They returned in the evening, bringing not only a plentiful supply of caoutchouc, 
but also of turpentine. They brought, too, a crane which Fritz’s eagle had killed 
flying, a plant of anise, and a number of roots which they had taken upon themselves 
to christen the Monkey- roots, because they owed the discovery of them to a troop of 
monkeys that they surprised digging them out of the earth with extraordinary 
labour, and devouring them gluttonously. 

I recognised in these roots the ginseng, a plant to which the Chinese attribute 
the most ' extraordinary nutritive and medicinal properties, and which, in their 
country, no one but the emperor has a right to cultivate. 


204 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


The excursion would have given us unmiugled satisfaction if the boys had not 
told us that they had pushed on to Forest Grange, where they found our farmery 
completely devastated. So far as they could judge, the destruction had been the 
work of monkeys. 

The cabin had been partly demolished, the fowls had been strangled, and the 
goats and sheep had strayed away into the neighbouring woods. 

I secretly determined to take signal vengeance upon the detestable tribe of 

animals that had thus laid our little 
colony in ruins. I said nothing, however, 
of the intention to my family. 

I made the birdlime, with which we 
smeared some sticks that Fritz and James 
placed among the higher branches of the 
trees. In less than a week we had taken 
enough birds of different kinds to fill a 
cask, even after we had prepared them for 
preserving in the same manner as we did 
twelve months before. 

Two of our old tame pigeons which 
we had brought off the wreck with us 
were taken in our snares one day, and we 
recognised them at once. 

James begged their lives, saying, 
“ Look, father ! how with their eyes they 
seem to greet us as old friends !” 

It is needless to say that James ob- 
tained the boon he asked. 

To keep the two travellers at home 
for the future, we constructed in the side 
of our rock at IJndertent a pigeon-cote, half of which was excavated and the other 
half made of trellise-work. This dwelling-place proved so acceptable to them, that 
they not only took up their abode there themselves, but in course of time induced a 
number of wild pigeons, which soon became domesticated, to do the same. 

An accident — thanks to the result, more comic than sad — of which James was 
at first the victim and then the hero, infused a little diversion into the monotony of 
our lives at about this time. 

The careless fellow came home one morning covered with a thick coating of 
black and greenish mud, which gave him the most deplorable aspect imaginable. 

His 'brothers began making fun of him at once, and he nearly burst out crying. 
I put a stop to their railleries, and asked him into what place he had fallen to get so 
covered with filth. 



FEITZ’S EAGLE KILLING THE CRANE -p. 203 . 


An Adventure of Jameses. 


205 


“ Behind the rocks, in Goose Marsh,” he replied in a lamentable voice. 

“But what were you going to do there? You are not a goose, I suppose?” 
said I. 

“ I was getting reeds to make baskets with,” he replied. 

“ Your intention was good,” I said, “ and you merit more praise than blame, 
although you failed in your enterprise.” 

“ How failed ? ” he cried j “ I have brought all these reeds with me ! ” 

“ They are as dirty as you are, my poor boy,” I said. “ I am afraid they are 
useless in that condition. But how came it that you got into the mud ? ” 



*‘I stretched out my hands, and laid hold of his tail.’* — p. 206. 


I wished to select the largest and straightest reeds I could find, and as these 
grew only in the middle of the marsh, I went jumping from tuft to tuft, when all at 
once my foot slipped and I found myself in the mud, in which indeed I seemed to 
be firmly embedded. The more I tried to get out, the deeper I sunk. The mud was 
far above my knees. I called for help as loudly as I was able, but no one came to 
succour me. This being so, I cast about for some scheme of extricating myself. 
What do you think I did ? I cut all those reeds that I have brought with me, and 
made a kind of hurdle of them. Upon this I rested my breast and arms while I 
disengaged my legs. With a vigorous spring I leapt upon the hurdle, and thus held 
above the mud I 'made my way as well as I could to the edge of the marsh. And 
there I should probably have remained till this time if it had not been for my jackal. 

‘‘ How so ? ” asked Ernest. 




206 


The Swiss Family Bobinsok 


(( Why, in this way,” said James : “ Although I had reached the edge of the 
marsh, I did not know how to get out of it. If I stepped off the hurdle there was a 
danger of my being immersed again. My brave jackal was running excitedly backwards 
and forwards on the bank. He could see that I had nothing to lay hold of, and he 
seemed to invite me to follow him towards a reed-bed some distance farther round. 
I called him and he came to me. I stretched out my hands and laid hold of his tail. 
Then I made a great noise, which so frightened him that he tried to save himself by 
flight. I clung, tightly, he pulled with all his might, and in this way I was eventually 
dragged to land sprawling. How you have the whole story !” 

Although the boy had been in imminent danger, ^we could not help laughing 
heartily at his misadventure, especially as we pictured to ourselves the comical sight 
the jackal and he must have presented, one dragging the other through the mud. 
nevertheless, I did not forget to felicitate him upon the presence of mind he had 
displayed in the difficult circumstances in which he was placed. 

His mother, who could not see that there was anything to laugh at, quickly 
took him away to change his clothes and wash him. 

Prancis followed — “ to rub down the donkey,” he said. 

I made use of some of the reeds which fhe bo}’- had brought home to pre- 
pare parts of the loom which my wife had asked me to construct. I took two of the 
largest, which, split longwise, furnished the frame that carries the warp. I then 
employed the boys in cutting some small pieces of wood between which the warp 
was to pass. 

As I was not at all sure of succeeding in my project, I said nothing about it to 
any one. This necessarily laid me open to a torrent of questions, which I had some 
difficulty in answering. I treated the subject lightly, and told the boys, to put them 
ofi*, that they were not to be surprised if they should find that I was making an 
instrument to play Hottentot music whenever their mother beat time to it with her 
foot. They made merry over my answer, and troubled me no more. 

As I finished each part of the loom I hid it, determining to put the pieces 
together in secret, and some day surprise my wife with an unexpected present of the 
machine she so much desired. 

At about this time the onager presented us with a beautiful foal, which was 
unanimously devoted to my use ; for up till now I had had no mount of my own at 
all. I called him Hacer, a title which he soon justified by his swiftness of foot and 
elegance of form. 

As the rainy season was again approaching, it now became necessary to lay in 
an abundant stock of provisions and forage, and to take measures for preserving our 
animals. 

I also took means to lay in a supply of fresh water to our winter quarters, of 
which we had just finished the interior arrangements. 

To this end we made a long conduit with hollow bamboo-canes, which we spliced 


An Expedition against the ]\£onkeys. 


207 


together, and made watertight at the joints with resin. The conduit was much 
longer than it would otherwise have been, for by the fortifications and hedges with 
which we had surrounded our dwelling we had completely cut off all access to the 
nearest point of J ackal Hiver, and had therefore to obtain our supply of water higher 
up the stream. 

One pipe, which was laid upon a long row of forked sticks, emptied itself into a 
large cask ; and when this cask was full we corked the conduit till we required a 
fresh supply. 

My wife thanked us warmly for our system of waterworks, assuring us that she 
was better pleased* with it than she would have been with a marble fountain adorned 
with dolphins and statues. 

Day by day we devoted ourselves to getting in potatoes, rice, maize, acorns, and 
every variety of useful plant that we could think of. The savoury anana, you may 
be sure, was not forgotten. 

As we had not vessels enough to hold all our spoils, my wife made us some 
sacks out of the remains of the sail-cloth, and we even broke up our raft for the sake 
of the tubs of which it was made. 

In the midst of all our labours, I had .not forgotten my meditated expedition 
against the monkeys. 

One morning I and my throe eldest sons set out, well armed and in particular 
furnished with a plentiful supply of birdlime, which was to be our chief agent in the 
attack. 

On reaching the banks of the lake, we chose a convenient place for our encamp- 
ment, and having erected our tent, fettered the onager, the donkey, and the bufialo, 
to prevent them from straying away. We then set out in quest of the enemy. 

Fritz, whom I had sent on to reconnoitre, soon returned to report that he had 
come upon a whole tribe of the pillagers, at the entrance to Cotton Wood, not far 
away from Farm Grange. 

Upon receiving this news we pushed on to the farmery. Arrived there, we 
stuck a number of small stakes into the earth, and tied long pieces of string from one 
to the other. For bait we placed near the stakes, which were only fixed in their 
places lightly, a number of cocoa-nuts and calabash- cups filled with rice and palm- 
tree wine. We then smeared the threads and stakes, as well as the cocoa-nuts and 
gourd-cups, with birdlime. We also spread birdlime upon the roof of the hut and 
the trunks of its supporting trees. 

. These preliminary steps taken, we all retired to await the approach of the 
enemy ; but the rest of the day and all the following night passed without their 
putting in an appearance. 

On getting up the next morning, the first thing we saw was a troop of monkeys 
making their way towards the hut. We remained perfectly silent and immovable, 
in order not to alarm them, and we soon had the pleasure of seeing them taken in 


208 


The Swiss Familt Bobihson. 


the trap we had so carefully laid. In a few moments they found themselves fastened 
by the hair to the stakes, to the string, to the cocoa-nuts, and to the calabash vessels. 
It was a droll sight to see the thousand contortions they made to escape, and how 
hopelessly every new effort served only to entangle them the more. Nothing was 
heard among them but cries of rage and despair. The confusion was completed by 
our dogs, who precipitated themselves upon the screaming monkeys, barking furiously. 

But on witnessing the distressing terror of the poor creatures our anger sub- 
sided. I called the dogs back at once. In spite of all the harm the destructive 
brutes had done us, we could not help feeling pity for them. 

So, after we had given them all a sound beating with our whips, we set them 
free ; and they made off in so downcast a condition, that I hoped the lesson we had 

given them would, at all 
events, prevent another 
raid upon our farmery. 

« Beally,” said Er- 
nest, “it is hard to be- 
lieve that the ape is of 
the same nature as other 
animals. To kill one 
seems like killing one’s 
own kind.” 

“ Well,” said James, 
“ they do look something 
like ragged old men and 
women.” 

“ You remember,” 
continued Ernest, “what 
the negro slave thought of the tame ourang-outang which belonged to the same 
master as himself 2 ” 

No.” 

“ Why, he looked upon him as an exceptionably evil-tempered negro, who did 
not speak, not because he could not, but because he would not.” 

“ Bah ! ” said James, “ what reason did he give for the monkey’s silence 2 ” 

“Why, that he refused to speak in order that he might not be compelled to 
work.” 

“Poor negro 1” replied James. “So his lot was so hard that he envied a 
monkey ! ” 

Fritz thanked me for having limited our expedition to a salutary correction. 

“ I do not think we should have had the courage to carry our vengeance 
further,” he said. “ Had we not better set about repairing the farmery now 2 We 
shall have no more hostile visits from apes, I am sure.” 



THE SAVOURY ANANA.-p. 207 . 


The Bains Again. 


209 


“ How would it be if we were to put some little windmill sails at each corner of 
the hut ? Would not that keep the monkeys away ? ” asked James. 

We all set to work at once, and a few hours afterwards as many as thirty 
miniature windmills were spinning away all over the estate. 

I was not myself at all sure about the efficacy of this method of keeping off the 
monkeys ; but as the end which the boys had in view was good, and as the work 
which they were engaged in pleased them, I neither interfered nor imparted to them 
my doubts. 

It took four whole days to repair the damage done by the monkeys, but, both 
by reason of our improved carpentry and 
our knowledge of the kind of attacks to 
which our work might be subjected, we 
left the farm in better condition than it 
had ever been in. 

Before long the storms set in, and the 
fine weather was at an end. 

Thunder, lightning, and driving rain 
compelled us to take refuge in our grotto. 

The sea took part in the general convul- 
sion of nature, and the noise of the waves 
as they roared in-shore, and burst boom- 
ing upon the rocks, filled us at first with 
an involuntary and indescribable terror. 

I had not expected these storms till 
the month of June, but they came upon 
us long before that ; and we were obliged 
to remain confined for twelve weeks to 
our winter quarters. 

We only kept four of our animals in bamboo balcony. 

the stable at the grotto — the cow to pro- 
vide us with milk, the onager to feed its little one, and the buffalo and donkey 
to carry us to Falcon-nest from time to time to look after our poultry, feed our 
animals, and bring back supplies of forage to the cavern. 

It is hardly necessary to say that we also kept near us the dogs, the eagle, the 
jackal, and the monkey, whose antics diverted us amazingly. 

With our spare timber, and some pieces of rock taken from the cavern, we laid 
a terrace along the front of our new abode, and thereupon erected a bamboo 
verandah surmounted by a balcony, from which we could survey the surrounding 
country. 

We soon found that the fitting-up of the cavern, although it had been the 
object of ail our cares, was in no sense complete. The three openings in the 



210 


The Swiss Family Robinson, 


rock which served for windows, for instance, admitted but a very feeble light 
into the interior. It is true we determined to remedy this defect thoroughly 
when the rains were over, but it was necessary to do something immediately, for 
it was by no means pleasant to remain buried in the dark for weeks together. 

I thought over the matter for a long time, and at last hit upon a plan which 
the skill and agility of James rendered easy of execution. 

I took a I6ng and thick bamboo, one end of which I solidly fixed in the floor of 
the cavern, while the other touched the vaulted roof. 

James climbed up this pole, and with a hammer drove securely into a natural 
crevice in the rock a stout wooden stake, upon which was fixed a pulley whose 
ropes reached to the ground. 

While he was thus enorao-ed, his mother cleaned and trimmed with oil a lantern 
which we had found on the wreck. We then lighted its three wicks, fastened 
it to the ropes of the pulley, and drew it up to a convenient height. The crystal 
facets of the vaulted roof flung back its light in a thousand sparkling forms. 

The arrangement of the different apartments occupied us several days. Ernest 
and Francis put up shelves for the books. My wife and James fitted up the 
sitting-room and the kitchen. Fritz and I reserved to ourselves the arrangement 
of the workshop, as that involved the heaviest labour. 

In this apartment we placed the captain’s lathe, the carpenter’s bench and 
tool-chest, and all the cooper’s and gunsmith’s tools that we had brought away 
from the wreck. 

In one corner we fitted up a forge. W'e had a pair of bellows, an anvil, 
and some hammers ; but we required a great many more tools than we had to 
enable us to set up the trade of blacksmith. 

No day passed, indeed, in which we did not feel the want of one or other 
of a crowd of European contrivances which, are never valued till they are missed. 
Among them were chairs, tables, chests of drawers, and many other things equally 
homely and equally useful. 

In order to keep the children from idleness, we set vigorously to work to 
supply many of these wants ; and, if complete success did not crown all our efforts, 
we nevertheless managed to keej) ourselves employed, and to show many useful 
results of our labours. 

Thanks to the industry of our young scholar and James, the library soon 
began to look quite like a museum. Upon the shelves were ranged the books 
which had belonged to the captain and officers of the ship. They consisted 
of works of natural history illustrated with coloured engravings, treatises on 
botany and zoology, and other works not less useful. To these were added an 
excellent supply of mathematical and astronomical instruments, and a large ter- 
restrial globe. Beside these, again, were ranged the natural history specimens which 
we had collected since our sojourn on the island. 


JSfEW Treasures. 


211 


Among tlie educational books we found several grammars and dictionaries of 
different languages. We determined to make use of these to perfect our knowledge 
in the tongues of which we knew a little, and to learn others of which we knew 
nothing; so that we might be able to converse with the sailors of any ship that 
might chance to call, if God so willed it, at our island. We knew Trench well. 
Our mother tongue was German. Tritz and Ernest proposed to learn English. 
Janies decided in favour of Italian and Spanish, which seemed to him to sound more 
pompously on the ear. 

Ernest made up his mind to learn Latin also, a very useful language in the 
study of natural history and medicine, of which we had several treatises in our 
libraiy. 

Eurthermore, he took upon himself the duty of instructing his brother Francis, 
who progressed so well that, far from being frightened at books, as was formerly the 
case, he awaited with impatience the hour at which -he was in the habit of receiving 
his lessons. 

For myself, I resolved to learn the Malay language, thinking it not impossible 
that we might some day be favoured with a visit from some Indians of an adjacent 
island or mainland. 


CHAPTER XXYI. 

NEW TREASURES. — THE DEAD WHALE. — ROWING MACHINERY. A VISIT TO THE COLONY. — 

THE GIANT TURTLE. 

■\Vhen the more pressing of our needs had been supplied by our various labours, we 
broke open the chests which we had brought from the wreck or which had been 
washed up by the sea. 

We at once found ourselves in possession of several looking-glasses, two console 
tables with marble tops, a chest of drawers, two handsome writing-desks, and other 
articles. 

My wife had the first choice among these unexpected treasures, and, assisted by 
her boys, who were never so delighted as when helping her, fitted up a little chamber, 
of which she was very proud. 

In the chests we also discovered several clocks, and a sea- watch, which I confess 
I did not know how to use. In short, we found ourselves rich beyond our most 
sanguine expectations, not only in the absolute necessaries, but even in some few of 
the luxuries of life. 

The twelve weeks which we spent in the grotto passed aAvay so quickly that I 
was not able to carry out one-half the projects I had formed for occupying our time. 

The children during this period obtained my permission to find a name for our 
subterranean dwelling. . 


212 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


They selected Kock-house, and I approved their choice. 

At the end of August we were visited by fierce hurricanes. The sea roared 
in upon the shore in huge breakers that seemed to threaten even the rocks with 
destruction. The thunder, lightning, and rain menaced the whole land with 
devastation. We devoutly thanked God that he had given us our grotto for shelter 
from the terrible fury of the elements. We dwelt as in an Arabian Nights’ dream. 

At length the weather changed. The sky became blue, and we were able to 
leave our retreat to breathe the fresh air again. 

While we were engaged in contemplating the phenomena of the new vegetation 
that surrounded us, the lynx -eyed Fritz saw something lying near a small island in an 
inlet of the bay, which looked like a capsized boat. I took the telescope, but could 
not make out at all. clearly what it was. 

We thereupon determined to make an excursion across the intervening island 
in order to get a nearer view of it. Besides, we had need of air and exercise after 
our three months’ seclusion. 

Having emptied our pirogue of the rain-water with which it was filled, and 
furnished it with its rigging, we set out — Fritz, Ernest, James, and I. 

As we came nearer to the object of our journey, our first conjecture vanished, 
and we soon saw that what we had fancied to be an overturned canoe was neither 
more nor less than a huge whale, which the violence of the sea had flung upon a 
jutting point of the island. The waves, which beat furiously upon the coast where 
the whale lay, forced us to make a detour to get to land. 

The island was not more than a half-league in circumference. No trees grew 
on it, but the earth was covered with plants of all descriptions. 

In order to get to the whale, my boys took one route and I another. 

My way lay over the rocks, which rose one above another from the beach. 
From the top of them I could see Falcon-nest and Undertent, and away on the other 
side the boundless sea. Below me lay the scene of our present and future life j 
beyond me lay the past — my abandoned fatherland, the infinite, the impossible ! 
Thoughts both sad and sweet seized upon me as I stood contemplating the scene 
around me, and I should no doubt have remained for a long time in this reverie, if 
I had not caught sight of the whale, which was the object of my search. 

I quickened my steps, and soon overtook the boys, who had walked round the 
beach. They showed me their caps, filled with coral and sea-shells, which they had 
picked up on the way, and concerning which they overwhelmed me with questions. 

I endeavoured to satisfy their curiosity ; and that which I told them concerning 
the strange creatures which form, as it were, the connecting link between the animal, 
the vegetable, and the mineral kingdoms, so took their attention, that they soon 
forgot all about the whale. As the hour was late, and as we had no tools with us to 
out up the marine monster, I put this labour off till another day, and we again 
entered our boat to return to land 


213 


The Dead Whale. 



TBE STPvAKDED WHALE.— p. 214. 


The hoys, who found working at the oars a somewhat laborious occupation, 
asked me if I did not think I could invent some contrivance whereby the pirogue 
might be made to glide over the waves without so much effort on our parts. 

I smiled as I thought of the unlimited confidence they placed in my ingenuity. 


214 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“ I am not a sorcerer,” I said, “ nor have I a fairy always at my elbow. 
Nevertheless, if you will undertake to find me a large iron wheel, I will at least 
promise to do the best I can to meet your wishes.” 

“ An iron wheel ! ” cried Fritz. “ Why, there is a capital one on one of our 
roasting sp'its ! ” ^ 

To this observation I made no reply. I neither promised nor refused to do 
anything more. I simi:>ly desired my boys to take courage and get on with their 
rowing as fast as they could. 

In time we came safe to land again, where my wife awaited us. She was 
charmed with the beauty of the corals and shells which the boy showed her, and 
when I told her that I proposed to return to the island the next day to cut up the 
whale, she begged that she might be allowed to accompany us. 

I consented with pleasure. 

On the following day we furnished our pirogue with tools and provisions, and 
also put on board a few tubs. We then embarked and weighed anchor. The sea 
was calm, and we had no difficulty in landing close to the whale, whose size and 
hideous aspect frightened Francis and his mother not a little. It was,. indeed, an 
enormous beast, measuring not less than seventy feet in length, and weighing several 
tons. It was as ugly as it was large. My children were overcome with fear as 
they reflected upon the fate that would have befallen us had we met such a creature 
as this during any of our voyages to the vessel. 

We set to work at once to cut the monster up. Fritz and James, armed witli 
their axes and saws, mounted upon its head to remove the baleen or whalebone. 
There were several hundreds of pieces on each side of the upper jaw, those in the 
centre being more than ten feet in length, and the others diminishing as they 
approached the corners of the mouth. This baleen is a fringe of thin plates, of a 
horny substance, black and flexible, which covers the whole of the palate, and sup- 
plies the place of teeth ; for the whale does not chew its food — it lives upon myriads 
of little fish, which it swallows whole. 

The boys were astounded on finding that the head formed fully a third 
part of the whole carcase, while the eyes were not much larger than those .of 
the ox. 

We did not carry on our offensive but useful labours alone. - A multitude of 
birds of prey, undaunted by our presence, settled upon the carcase, and carried their 
effrontery to the point of flying away with the slices which we cut off with our 
knives. The boys killed several of them, and as our good housewife said she should 
be glad to have their feathers, we put them in our boat. 

We filled our tubs with pieces of blubber cut off the flanks of the whale, and 

with our precious cargo — of which, however, the odour was not very agreeable we 

returned to Rock-house. 

The next morning I announced a new plan of procedure, but my wife and little 


The Dead Whale. 


215 


Francis declined to be of the party, the work we proposed to do being too repugnant 
to them. I had determined to open the body of the animal. 

My three elder sons and I set out alone. On reaching the island we found the 
carcase covered with so numberless and compact a cloud of birds, that we were obliged 
to fire several. times before they would leave us a clear field for our operations. 

Before beginning work we took off our ordinary garments, and dressed ourselves 
in some rough ones which my wife had prepared for the purpose. 

Fritz and I then opened the belly of the monster with our hatchets, and arew 
hence the liver, the sinews of the tail, and lastly the entrails, of which I intended to 
make bags to hold the oil which we extracted from the blubber. This task achieved, 
we hastened to set out for land a^-ain. 

O 

The boys did not recover their spirits until the pure bracing air of the sea had 
replaced in their lungs the vicious atmosphere they had been breathing during their 
labours on the island. I was called upon during the voyage to tell them all I knew 
concerning the whale fishery. This subject led us to others more important, and we 
were in the midst of a learned discussion on comparative anatomy when we reached 
the shore. 

My wife regarded our odorous spoils with no great pleasure. I softened her a 
little by promising that, however unpleasant our cargo might be at present, I should 
extract from it unheard-of treasures. 

The next morning at daybreak we proceeded to convert our blubber into oil. 

After having, by heavy pressure, obtained a first running of fine, pure oil, with 
which we filled two of our tubs, we fed our cauldron several times with pieces of 
flesh, and, with the assistance of a brisk fire, obtained ten large skinfuls of ordinary 
train-oil. 

Although we took care to perform this operation at some distance from Bock- 
house, the insupportable smell which exhaled from the cauldron failed not to pene- 
trate even to the inner chambers. 

Why on earth,” asked my wife, when we assembled at dinner, “ did you not 
carry on this abominable manufacture on the island ? You would have found enough 
wpod there to melt down a hundred times as much oil, and we should not have been 
. poisoned by the stench. While on the point, too, I may as well tell you of an idea 
that has occurred to me. Why cannot we establish a colony of poultry on this same 
island ? There, at least, there would be nothing to fear either from jackals or 
monkeys.” 

“A capital notion !” cried I. “We will endeavour to carry it out as soon as 
possible.” . • 

The boys wanted to start off at once with the first cargo of new colonists. 

I moderated their ardour by telling them that, before they made another voyage, 
I was desirous of trying my experiment on the pirogue in order to lighten the labour 
of rowing it. 


21G 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


1 at once set to work. The wheel of a roasting-spit and the cogged axis upon 
which it worked were my only resources. I first placed a bar of iron, in the centre 
of which I had fixed the cogged axis, across the pirogue, allowing it to protrude 
about a foot on each side. I cut grooves in the bulwarks of the boat for the bar to 
run in, and lined them with copper cushions, in order that the woodwork might not 
be worn away by friction. To each end of the bar, outside the pirogue, I fixed four 
slabs of whalebone, in arrangement like the wings of a windmill. I then fastened 
upon two supports erected near the bar in the middle of the boat the large wheel of 



FKITZ m TOW OF THE TURTLE. — p. 218 . 


the roftsting-jack, in such wise that its teeth fitted into the cogged axis ; and I 
attached to it a strong winch. 

This done, we had only to turn the winch and the whalebone paddles struck 
the water one after the other, and propelled the pirogue at a good swift pace. 

At the sight of this contrivance the delight of the children knew no bounds. 
After Fritz and I had made a tour of the inlet, and come to land again, all three of 
the younger boys jumped into the boat, and were about to set out on a voyage to the 
little island. I forbad them, the day being too far advanced ; but I promised to 
make on the morrow a voyage to Prospect Hill. 

The first flushes of dawn on the following morning found the whole family on 

foot. 

As we had made every preparation for our expedition on the previous evening, 
we had only to cast an eye over the provisions, to see that nothing had been 
forgotten, and then to embark on board our pirogue. 



THE VOYAGE IN THE PIROGUE TO PROSPECT HILL.-i). 218, 



218 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


The weather was magnificent; the sea calm. Aided by our new rowing 
machinery, we glided over the waves swiftly, and with very little expenditure of 
labour. 

In passing Monkey Wood, we landed to renew our stock of cocoa-nuts. 

While there we heard the crowing of our cocks, who answered each other 
from wood to wood. We seemed to be once more in our own country, and we 
were overcome by a mingled feeling of regret and happiness. In order to divert 
our reflections, I gave the signal of departure, and before long we were at 
Prosjiect Hill. 

Our first care was to pay a visit to the colony, where we found every- 
thing in order so far as the building was concerned, but the goats and sheep 
had become so wild that the boys had to employ the lasso to catch them. 

Thanks to this expedient, we were able to reassemble the fugitives, among 
whom we distributed a provision of potatoes and salt, which they seemed to relish 
amazingly. 

The poultry had not grown so wild, and my wife 'was able without much 
trouble to catch several couples, which she tied by the legs and placed in the 
pirogue to be transported to Whale Island. 

After having insjoected in detail this part of our domains, to assure ourselves 
that all was in proper condition, we went back to Prospect Hill to dine in the 
hut we had erected there some time before. Cold meat, goat’s milk, and a por- 
tion of the whale’s tongue made us an excellent repast, though we were obliged 
to throw the greater part of the latter delicacy to the jackal : the taste of the oil 
Vv^as too strong for us. 

I afterwards went with Fritz to cut down some sugar-cane, and also to obtain 
some slips of several plants growing in the neighourhood, which I wished to plant in 
Whale Island. 

On reaching the isle, I set to work at once to plant my slips, in which task 
my only assistant was my wife, for the boys had wandered off in search of novelties. 

All at once we saw James running towards us. 

“ Father ! ” he cried, “ come and see ! I have discovered the skeleton of a 
mammoth animal !” 

At these words I could not resist a burst of laughter. I told him I had 
no doubt whatever that his mammoth skeleton was none other than that of our 
whale. 

However, as he insisted that I should convince myself of the fact, I followed 
him, but was stopped on the way by Fritz, who called upon me to help him in 
the capture of an enormous turtle which he had managed to waylay, but could 
not master. 

I hastened to his help with a couple of oars. I arrived just in time. A 
few minutes more and the turtle would have been in the sea again. With our 


The Giant Turtle. 


219 


oars we prevented it from carrying out its intention, and, once turned over upon 
its back, we had no more difficulty with it. 

As James still pressed me to come and see his discovery, I followed him to 
his wonderful skeleton, which, as I had supposed, turned out to be only that of 
the whale. A few days had sufficed for the sea-birds to devour it down to the very 
ligaments ; nothing remained of the huge carcase but the bones. 

I asked James what had caused him to think that this was the skeleton of 
a mammoth animal, and soon found that he had been mystified, in a moment of 
jocoseness, by our young scholar. 

I rallied him upon his credulity, and gave him a lesson in natural history, 
to which he listened with rapt attention. 

While we were still conversing upon this subject, we again reached the spot 
where I had been setting my plants. As it was too late to think of putting 
them all in the ground, I wrapped the roots of those that remained in wet leaves, 
determined to complete my task another day. 

We now prepared to set out, but we knew not what to do with our turtle. Our 
united strength was insufficient to get him on board the boat. Necessity is the 
mother of invention, and out of our difficulty came a resource. I conceived the idea 
of making the beast tow us to land, as the first one we caught had done. I there- 
upon tied a rope round his neck and paws, and fastened the other end of it to the 
prow of our pirogue. To prevent him from diving to the bottom, I fastened a couple 
of empty tubs to his sides. The moment we set him upon his feet he plunged into 
the sea, drawing the boat swiftly after him. We had only just time to leap in 
before he was off. 

I stationed myself in the front of the boat, with a hatchet to cut the rope in 
case of danger, and a long pole with which to direct the course of our marine steed. 
Our voyage was a swift and prosperous one, and on reaching Rock-house we tied our 
turtle to a stake, to await our decision upon his fate. 

The next morning we sentenced him to death. His fat and his flesh, which has 
the taste of veal, promised us a succulent change of food, while his shell would serve 
for the basin of a new fountain at Rock-house. It was eight feet in length and three 
in width. 

He was a fine specimen of the green or giant turtle, found only in tropical seas. 


220 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


CHAPTER XXYII. 

THE LOOM FINISHED. — THE PALANQUIN. — THE BOA. 

It was at this time that, with the assistance of Ernest, I finished the loom which 
I had so long intended to present to our good housewife, who was growing more 
and more anxious as she saw our stock of linen decreasing daily without any 
apparent means of replacing it. 

I had reason now to congratulate myself for having, in my youth, taken 
every pains to examine and understand the mechanism of such looms as it had been 
my good fortune to see in the workshops of my own countiy. Almost up to the 
point of elegance and finish, my machine was perfect. 

My wife knew not how to sufficiently thank me when I brought it from its 
hiding-place, and showed it to her ready for work. 

My success encouraged me. I resolved to try my hand’ at the manufacture 
of saddles and harness for the beasts which my boys rode. 

The saddles were already cut ou t, and I re-covered them with kangaroo’s skin 
and stufied them with moss. I also made straps, bridles, traces, and other articles ; 
but as the trade was quite new to me, I found it necessary to do as the tailors do, 
measure my customers by fitting their new garments on from time to time during 
the process of manufacture. 

I had scarcely finished these labours when we were visited, as in the preceding 
year, by a shoal of herrings, of which we laid in a plentiful supply . 

To the herrings succeeded the dog-fish, of which we killed a score or so, and 
pickled their skins with salt for future use. The fat and the bladders were carefully 
put on one side. As to the fiesh, we cut it up and threw it into J ackal River for 
the crabs, of which, thanks to this bait, we took a large quantity, to replenish our 
exhausted store in the dam we had made for their reception twelve months before. 

These fisheries at an end, I determined to see what I could do at making 
baskets, of which my wife had great need for cariying her seeds and vegetables to 
and from the garden, and for other purposes. 

Our first attempts were made with the common osier, and we took to the work 
fairly ; for although our first productions were rough and unshapely, they did well 
enough to carry dirt in, and with practice we soon acquired greater skill. Two 
large baskets that we made were of such excellent form and finish, that James and 
Ernest, proud of their share in the work, put Francis into one of them, and, thrust- 
ing a couple of poles through the bandies, carried him upon their . shoulders in 
triumph. 

“ Oh, father ! ” cried Fritz, all at once, after looking and laughing at them for 


The Palanquin. 


221 


some time, “ could we not make a similar litter for mamma ? She would find it 
so much easier than riding on the truck when she accompanies us on our excursions ! ” 
“No doubt, my good Fritz,” I replied, “but where are the porters with 
shoulders strong enough to carry this new palanquin ? ” 

“ Have Storm and Grumbler ! ” cried James, putting down Francis, and joining 
in the conversation. We can easily harness them, one on the left and the other on 
the right, to the two poles which support the basket. May we try, father 
I consented willingly, and the two animals were at once led out. 



STORM AND GRUMBLER AT FULL GALLOP. 


We put on their saddles, to which we securely fastened the poles that were to 
support the basket. 

Then James mounted upon Storm, and Francis upon Grumbler. The beasts 
knelt at the command of their masters while Ernest got into the basket, and at 
a second command they got up and walked leisurely away with their load between 
them. 

The palanquin swung as easily and pleasantly as a carriage upon light springs. 
Little by little, however, the two burly porters quickened their pace, and though 
this delighted Ernest at first, he soon became so alarmed at it that he shut his eyes 
and laid hold of the sides of the basket. Thereupon James and Francis, who had 
remarked the growing fear of their brother and were much amused at it, began 
whipping their beasts furiously, and they started off at full gallop. 

Poor Ernest, tossed hither and thither and jolted up and down, bounded from 


222 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 



one side of tlie basket to the other like an India-rubber ball, and cried out with all 
his might to be put down. The two animals, however, seemed to enjoy the fun as 
much as their giddy- witted riders, and, after making a wide detour upon the beach 
at Under tent, brought themselves upon their knees in front of us, as if begging for 
our applause. 

Ernest, red with anger, was no sooner out of the basket than he began to load 
his brothers with indignant reproaches, to which they were not slow to rejDly sharply. 

I was obliged to intervene, and tell the mad-cap James that though, as it turned 
out, their fun had done no harm, yet that in some circumstances it might have 
led to broken limbs. 

Both he and Francis saw at once that they had been in the . wrong, and begged 
Ernest’s pardon. 

Ernest, who was of a very easy' disposition, not only forgave them there and 
then, but helped to unharness the animals who had played him the trick, and even 
begged his mother to give them a little extra barley and salt as a reward for their 
readiness to obey the word of command. We heard him afterwards arranging with 
his brothers for another palanquin journey when opportunity occurred. 

As my wife and I sat quietly conversing in front of the grotto, I noticed that 
Fritz, who was some paces off, was looking intently towards the avenue which led 
from the bridge crossing the river to Ealcon-nest. 

In a moment or two he came up and said, “ There is a strange animal of 
some kind down below there, father. I don’t know what it is, but it seenis to 
be coming this way, if one may judge from the movement of the clouds of dust 
which it raises.” 

“ It is no doubt one of our own animals rolling in the sand,” said his mother. 

“No, it can’t be that,” returned Fritz; “all our animals are shut up for the 
night. Besides, this one, so far as I can make out, is altogether different in form. 
It looks like a huge cable, now unrolling itself on the ground, now rising erect 
and swaying from side to side.” 

At these words my wife, in great alarm, re-entered the grotto, and I sent my 
boys in after her to get the arms ready. 

I then took the telescope and directed it towards the bridge. 

An exclamation of horror escaped me. 

“What is it, father?” asked Fritz anxiously. 

“ It is an enormous serpent,” I replied in a low voice. 

“ Then I won’t be the last at the fight,” cried the courageous boy. “ I will go 
and fetch the guns and the axes.” 

“ Prudence before all!” I exclaimed. “This animal is too terrible for us to 
venture to fight face to face with him.” 

In saying these words I drew Fritz after me into the grotto, when we set to 
work preparing to receive the monster. 


The Boa. 


Our terror was too well grounded. We could distinctly see the fearful reptile 
trailing his enormous folds along the bank of the river. As soon as he had crossed 
the bridge, he stopped from time to time, raising his hideous head and -surveying his 
surroundings, as if he were upon new ground and uncertain of his way. 

We barricaded the door and stopped up all the openings but one, where we 
could see without being seen. There, gun in hand, and ears and eyes on the 
alert, we watched every movement of the approaching enemy. 

It was a boa of the very largest size. 

The monster made straight towards the grotto. But all at once he seemed to 
hesitate, as if troubled by the evident traces of human beings. 

At this moment Ernest, overcome by excitement, dropj)ed the trigger of his 
gun, and the piece went off. James and Francis, thinking the time had come for 
action, did the same. 

At this triple discharge the serpent raised its head rather in surprise than 
fright. It may have, been that neither shot reached its mark ; it may have been that 
the scales of the creature were impervious to bullets j at any rate he seemed to have 
received no wound. 

J ust as Fritz and I, after taking careful aim, were about to fire in our turn, 
the monster glided swiftly away towards Goose Marsh, where he disappeared. 

A unanimous exclamation of satisfaction rose to our lips. We felt that we 
had been preserved, at least for the time being, from imminent peril. 

At the same time, the presence of the boa in the neighbourhood disquieted 
me not a little. At any moment the terrible animal might reappear, and I knew 
of no means of getting rid of it without risking a great deal of danger. 

I expressly forbad every one to leave the house, under any pretext whatever, 
without first obtaining my permission. 

During three whole days fear held us prisoners in the grotto. The least 
noise outside put us in mortal terror. We dared scarcely venture over the 
threshold. 

However, the monster gave no sign of his presence, and we should probably 
have come to the conclusion that he had left the neighbourhood, had it not been for 
the way in which our poultry and pigeons cackled and flew from rock to rock, as if 
they feared the attack of some terrible enemy. 

Our anxiety increased hourly, while the obstinate refusal of tlie serpent to 
show himself only left us the more time to reflect upon the horrors of our situation. 
On the other hand, our stock of provisions was diminishing rapidly without our being 
able to renew them, and all our projected employments were suffering from our en- 
forced inaction. 

The forage was coming to an end ; and we foresaw that the time would shortly 
arrive when our own food would fail, if we continued to divide with our animals the 
slender supply of jirovisions that remained to us. 


224 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 



TaE eoa’s last meal.— p. 226 . 


I determined, therefore, to set the beasts at liberty, in order that they might 
find fodder for themselves. 

We decided to drive them up towards the source of the river in the opposite 
direction to the marsh, where we concluded the boa still lay concealed. 

Fritz took this hazardous duty upon himself. 


The Boa. 


225 



THE BOA AT THE STAKE.— p. 232 . 


He drove the beasts out, and was making ready to escort them, while the rest 
of us stood at the window with our loaded guns, in readiness to fire should he be 
interrupted in his work. The bufialo and the cow were already yoked together, 
when the ass, to whom three days’ rest and an abundance of good food had imparted 
an extraordinary amount of vigour and playfulness, dashed off into the open ground, 

15 


226 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


hee-hawing so loudly and indulging in so many grotesque gambols, that, in spite of 
the grave cause we had for seriousness, we could not help bursting into a hearty 
laugh. 

Fritz leapt upon the onager and was preparing to set out in pursuit, when I 
stopped him, pointing out the danger he would incur in approaching the marsh, 
towards which the ass was now making as fast as he could. 

We attempted to call the fugitive back, but he only looked round at us from 
time to time, shaking his mane with an air of bravado. We showed him fodder and 
salt : all was useless. He was evidently determined to enjoy his liberty, and, gal- 
loping further and further away, made straight for the supposed lair of the serpent. 

All at once we saw a terrible head raise itself from among the reeds. 

At sight of it the poor donkey appeared petrified with fear, uttered a strange, 
hopeless kind of groan, and looked towards us mournfully. One would have thought 
him transfixed to the earth, for as the serpent approached him he neither moved 
nor gave any indication that he even contemplated flight. 

In an instant the unhappy beast was wrapped in the monster’s fatal folds, and 
suflbcated in the horrible embrace. 

We looked upon the scene in sad silence : it rent our hearts. 

The children asked me if they might not fire upon the reptile, to release their 
favourite. 

I forbad them, observing that they would only irritate the monster, which 
might perhaps turn its fury upon us without profit to the ass, who already gave no 
sign of life 

“ Let us wait,” I said, till the boa has swallowed his victim, for when he is 
glutted with food there will no longer be any danger in attacking him, and we shall 
be sure of our prey.” 

“ But,” said J ames, “ the frightful beast will not swallow our donkey at a 
mouthful, will lie 

“As serpents have no teeth to enable them to rend their prey,” I replied, 

“ they crush and swallow it at one and the same time. But look ! see how the 
hideous creature is crushing the unfortunate animal’s body with its rings, in order 
to bring it down to the size of its throat ! ” 

As I spoke the boa was making ready his repast with horrible avidity. 

My wife, fearing that the barbarous spectacle would leave a too vivid impres- 
sion upon the mind of our youngest child, and not caring personally to be a witn-ess 
of it, retired with Francis into the dining-room. 

I was myself well-nigh overcome with horror. 

^ Hot only was the ass dead, but its body was crushed into a shapeless mass, of 
which one could distinguish nothing but the head hanging bleeding and hideous. 

The boa, to get more strength, had twined his tail round a small jutting piece 
of rock, and was gradually pressing the broken flesh into a soft paste. . i 

1 


The Boa. 


221 


He then covered the whole carcase over with a slimy saliva, and, opening his 
enormous jaws, made ready to commence his repast. 

He first laid himself out at full length in front of the mass he had so carefully 
kneaded. Then seizing the ass by the hind-legs, he began swallowing it ; and, little 
by little, the thighs, the body, and the fore-legs were engulphed in the monster’s 
body, which gave as many signs of pain as of pleasure as it swallowed the still 
bleeding mass. 

When he came to the head, which he had neglected to crush, his hunger was 
appeased, and he rolled over completely motionless. 

This was the moment I was waiting for. 

Seizing my gun, I cried out to my boys, “ Courage, children ! courage ! The 
monster has fallen into our hands !” 

I hastened towards the serpent, followed by Fritz and James, but not by 
Ernest, who, always more timid -than his brothers, remained at the post of ob- 
servation. 

The boa keenly watched our approach, his eyes glistening with impotent malignitv. 

He was literally unable to move a muscle of his body. Fritz and I, there- 
fore, had no difficulty in sending the contents of a couple of barrels, well loaded 
with bullets, crashing into his skull. An intensely evil light played in his eyes 
for a moment^his tail beat the ground feebly once or twic^ as he writhed in 
auguish — he was dead ! 

At this moment J ames, who desired to have his part in the victory, fired hi s 
pistol into the reptile’s belly. The wound produced a kind of galvanic efieci 
on the tail of the serpent, which flew up suddenly and struck our young giddy- 
head so smart a blow upon the chest that it knocked him down. . 

It is hardly necessary to say that, finding himself thus laid upon his back, he fully 
believed for the moment that the boa had come to life again, and trembled in every 
limb at the thought of following the donkey to his last resting-place. 

Happily this was the last evil deed for which our formidable enemy was 
responsible. 

We sent up a shout of victory, which speedily brought my wife, with Ernest 
and Francis, upon the scene of action. 

We embraced each other warmly in an ecstacy of joy. It seemed as if we had 
received a new lease of life. 

“ So far as I am concerned,” said Ernest, always ready to display his erudition, 
“ I honour our poor donkey for having devoted his life to our salvation, as those 
noble Homan heroes, the Curtii, did theirs for the citizens.” 

“What are we going to do with the body of the serpent?” asked James, re- 
covering from his panic. 

“ Skin and stuff it,’" said Ernest, “ and put it in the museum as a trophy of our 
victory and a valuable curiosity.” 


228 


The Swiss Family jRobinson, 


“But,” said Francis, “could not we eat this huge eel? We should have stews 
and broiled meats which would last us for weeks. 

“ Eat the flesh of a serpent !” exclaimed his mother — “ of a serpent which is 
perhaps venomous !” 

“ The boa, my dear wife,” I said, “ is not venomous ; and even if it were, there 
would be no danger in eating its flesh, provided we threw away the head. It is in 
that part of a serpent that the fangs and glands are found which contain the poison.” 

At this point the children, as usual, overwhelmed me with questions about 
serpents, which fortunately my knowledge of natural history enabled me to answer 
without much difficulty. 

Ernest, whose curiosity was never satisfled, and who seized upon every oppor- 
tunity that presented itself to increase his knowledge, asked me if it was true that 
some kinds of serpent were sensible to the charms of music. 

“ That is very certain,” I replied, “ and not only do they like music, but they 
raise themselves upon the point of their tails and keep time to the tune with the 
motion of their bodies. The Indian jugglers who train them to this exercise make 
it a grand subject of admiration among populations that are less civilised than them- 
selves. They surround their art of charming serpents with an air of deepest mystery, 
because in precise proportion as they make it a mystery do they achieve success 
among the ignorant. It is supposed by some that they use certain herbs which 
have soporific qualities, and the influence of which the serpents cannot withstand. 
It is also said that, before beginning to operate, they take care to remove the serpents’ 
fangs.” 

“How do they contrive to do that?” asked James. “It is an operation which 
I should not like to attempt.” 

“In the simplest manner in the world,” I replied. “The serpent advances 
with his mouth opened wide, in menace. A piece of rag is thrown before him, upon 
which he seizes in his fury. It is withdrawn at once with a sharp tug. The fangs 
are broken, and for a time more or less lengthy the animal remains without the 
power to do mischief.” 

“But,” said Ernest, returning to his original idea, “are not the serpent- 
charmers a kind of sorcerers?” 

“I have replied to your question already,” I said, “and I believe I have given 
a sufficiently clear explanation of what they call the ‘ mysteries of their science.’ 
Your persistence in searching for the marvellous in that which admits of a very 
simple solution is the bane of the great masses of uneducated people. Ignorance 
courts error, because it offers more seductions to the imagination than truth does.” 

“ I quite agree with all you have said,” replied our young scholar, “ but I 
distinctly remember having read somewhere that rattlesnakes have the power of 
subjugating their prey by the fixity of their look. Have not the serpent-charmers 
something of this power ?” 


The Boa. 


229 


“You are taking effect for cause, my dear boy,” I said. “That which appears 
to be fascination on the part of the serpent is nothing more than terror on the part 
of the victim it has chosen. Fear roots it to the ground, it dares not fly, and its 
enemy profits by its hesitation. Our donkey furnishes an example. At the same 
time it is not impossible that the rattlesnake may exhale a certain odour which is 
stupefying, and that its victim may find itself rendered helpless by this. But that 
which may be true as to particular animals, must be pronounced absurd when 
applied to man, for he is never fascinated either by the supposed odour or the sup- 
posed look.” 

“ Father,” asked Fritz in his turn, 

“ what is the best remedy if one is bitten 
by a rattlesnake 1 ” 

“First of all,” I replied, “to be bitten 
by one of these reptiles argues that you 
were yourself to blame in some degree for 
it, for the creature is very indifferent to 
outward influences, and it will not attack 
you unless you have either injured or 
irritated it. An enemy, also, which ad- 
vertises you of its approach both by the 
noise which its rattles make, and by the 
disagreeable odour which it exhales, is not 
a very serious one, especially when you 
are armed with a stick or some other 
weapon to ward off its attacks. Suppose 
we admit, however, that one of you, either 
through some act of imprudence on your 
own part, or through some unhappy fascinated. 

chance — which God preserve you from ! — 

has been bitten by a rattlesnake. In that case the most effectual remedy is to 
boldly cut off the flesh which has been pierced by the venomous fangs of the reptile, 
or to place gunpowder upon the wound and light it. Other means, less heroic, 
sometimes succeed equally well. For example, you may wash the wound with salt 
water, or with any alkaline preparation, or even with oil. I have also heard that 
a decoction of the senega or rattlesnake root is very effectual ; but as I do not know 
this plant, prudence obliges me to advise you to use one of the first two remedies 
I have mentioned, however painful they may appear.” 

“But, my dear father,” said Ernest, always effeminate, “you recommend us 
remedies which are worse than the disease.” 

“ Boy, you would say otherwise,” I answered somewhat severely, “ if you but 
thought how swiftly death follows upon a rattlesnake’s bite which has not been 



230 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


cauterised in one or other of the ways I have indicated. It is a horrible death, too, 
considering how easily we may prevent it.” 

“ I am very sorry there are serpents in our island,” said little Francis thought- 
fully. “ There were none in the grounds at Switzerland. It was a much better 
place than this.” 

“What!” I exclaimed, “you wish to leave this lovely island? to go back 
to the abominable streets full of people? to abandon the ananas, give up the 
cocoa-nuts, leave our animals behind, forsake the grotto and our house in the tree ? 
Shall I go and call a carriage for you, that you may go home at once ?” 

“ You always make fun of little Francis,” said the dear child, pouting a little. 
“ I do not want to leave the island, but I certainly do not like serpents. We should 
be much better without them.” 

“ For myself,” said my wife, “ I am nearly of the same mind as Francis. I 
shall never have another hour of peace while you are away from us.” 

“ Courage, my wife !” I said. “Courage! Put confidence in God! He will 
preserve us.” 


CHAPTER XXYIII. 

EPITAPH OX THE ASS. — STUFFING THE BOA. 

Our long conversation oeguiled us into taking a long rest, during which we forgot, 
for the time being, both our past troubles and our anxieties for the future. 

We were seated under the shadow of a huge rock, with our guns and pistols 
beside us. 

In order to tease Ernest, and as a sort of punishment for his unwillingness to 
take part in the attack on the enormous reptile we had just killed, I told him that 
we should require him to write a suitable epitaph for our donkey, observing that 
since he had many times shown poetic longings, now was the time, or never, to make 
proof his talent. The subject, I added, was worthy his genius. 

The young poet saw not the least joke, in what I had said. On the contrary, 
he accepted my invitation with the utmost gravity, and resting his head, overcharged 
with sublime thought, upon his hands, proceeded to obey me.. 

Ten minutes afterwards he lifted his eyes, his countenance glowing the while 
with an amount of self-content which would have done credit to Archimedes or 
Pythagoras in the moment of their highest achievement. “Father,” he said, “I 
have hit upon an epitaph ! But,” he added, seeing a smile playing across my face, 
“you must not make fun of me, you know.” 

I encouraged him to speak out and give us the result of his meditations. 

He did so, blushing with all the modesty of youthful genius. 

Here are the lines which the dea^’ child had composed : — 


JEpitaph on the Ass. 


231 


An honest ass lies buried here. 

By disobedience killed ; 

A hero though he was ’tis clear. 

For from a death which all with terror filled 
He saved father and mother and children four. 

Shipwrecked on this uninhabited shore.” 

“ Capital ! capital ! ” I cried, laughing. “ By far the best poetry that was ever 
composed in this island ! Here are six splendid lines, the fourth of which — if not the 
following two — ought to count for several more, for it has nearly as many feet as a 
centipede ! Nevertheless, the rhyme comes in at the end exquisitely. As a reward, 
I decree that the stanza shall be written on that part of the rock which is nearest 
to the spot where our regretted donkey met his disastrous fate, until we find time 
and talent to correct it and shorten its lines a little.” 

Saying this I drew from my pocket a large red pencil, which I always 
carried with me for marking wood, and wrote upon the smooth face of the rock the 
six halting lines which Ernest had dictated. 

The young poet, the while, was a victim to contending emotions. Proud of his 
authorship, he yet had a lurking suspicion that he had not achieved a very brilliant 
success. 

I had just finished my writing when Fritz returned from the grotto, whither 
he had been to fetch the animals to remove the carcase of our vanquished enemy.. 

First of all we dragged the mangled body of our poor friend from the boa’s 
jaw's, and buried it in a deep grave, upon which we piled several boulders to protect 
the sad remains from the ravages of wild beasts. 

Then we yoked the cow and buffalo to the serpent, and dragged it up to the 
entrance to Bock-house. 

Arrived there : “Father,” said one of the young people, “how are we going 
to skin this terrible beast 1 We should like to preserve him as a curiosity, but I 
do not see how it is to be done.” 

“ I am going to tell you,” I said, “ of a very simple method of overcoming your 
difficulty. You must first of all make a circular incision round the neck, and turn 
back the skin a little. Then you must fasten the under part of the skin so turned 
back to the ground by small stakes, and the upper and side parts to a tree by cords. 
All you will have to do now will be to re-harness the oxen to the head and let tliem 
pull gently. They will thus draw the body of the animal out of the skin, and every- 
thing will be ready for stuffing. To proceed with this operation, you will have to 
take the skin, which will be inside out, and salt it well, and sprinkle it with ashes. 
This done, turn it right side out again, fill it with moss, prepare and sew the head to 
it, and, after giving the creature tlie position you want, dry it in the sun.” 

These instructions were immediately followed by the four boys, directed by 
Fritz. I also lent a hand, the better to encourage them in their labours. 

The stuffing was not achieved without several amusing incidents. 


232 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


James, who stripped himself to his trousers, was ordered inside the skin, which 
we had hung to the branches of a high tree. Then we all handed him up moss, which 
he trod in. On reaching the chest, he suddenly popped his head out, red and per- 
spiring from his labours, and asked whether we did not think he looked pretty well 
for one who liad so long been inside a boa. 

With such pleasantries did the light-hearted boys beguile their labour. 

The skin stuffed, the next thing to be done was to give the creature a charac- 
teristic attitude. This was a task of no small difficulty. One proposed this, another 
that, but none of them arrived at a satisfactory conclusion. 



ANOTHER GROTTO. — 235. 


I came to their help. I rolled the stuffed boa round a stake some three feet in 
height, fixed into a small hillock, and rested the chest upon the top of it in such 
a manner that the head and neck were thrown forward horizontally, as if the 
creature were about to strike a victim. The jaws were placed wide open, and 
the tongue drawn out, and both were painted a blood-red with the juice of the 
Indian fig. 

Tor want of the necessary glass, I replaced the eyes with prepared pieces of 
gypsum varnished with fish-glue. 

Although dead, the horrible beast looked so much like life, that during the 
whole of the time it was exposed to the sun, our animals never passed it without 
trembling. 

When dry, we removed it to the entrance of our museum and library, ai^d the 



CROSSING GOOSE MARSH -p. 231. 




234 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


cliildren pinned a paper to its jaws, on wliich. was written this sentence, whose 
double meaning is apparent : — 

“no admittance to donkeys-.” 

For a moment I thought of blaming the boys for treating a sad subject so 
lightly. But I had laughed myself when I read the inscription, and therefore could 
not rebuke them : I was disarmed. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

AN EXCUESION. — ANOTHER GROTTO. FULLER’ S EARTH. ROCK-CRYSTAL. 

Although relieved from our present danger, I did not feel at all easy in my mind. 
I feared, and not without reason, that since the reptile we had killed was a female, 
we might have before long to encounter other members of her family — the male, or 
the young ones, for instance. 

I therefore determined to beat the whole neighbourhood around both Rock- 
house and Falcon-nest. The latter excursion I resolved should extend as far as our 
house of call on Prospect Hill, for on the road thither lay a rocky defile through 
which I doubted not our terrible visitor had made its "way. 

When the time came for setting out, I noticed a sort of hesitation in the 
movements of Ernest and James. They still retained so vivid a recollection of the 
impression made upon them by the destruction of our donkey, that they did not care 
to risk encountering another boa. The feeling was natural at their age, and I could 
not well rebuke them. 

“I declare,” said James, “it sends a thrill through me even now when I think 
of the way in which the tail of the dreadful beast knocked me down. I thought 
every bone in my body was broken.” 

I re-assured them as well as I could, and appealed both to their feelings and 
their reason. » 

“ Reflect,” I said, “ that the serpent we have killed may probably have left 
young ones, which may grow up and some day fall traitorously upon your mother 
and little Francis ! It is a matter of life and death to us that we should put our- 
selves out of this peril before our enemy gains strength enough to overcome us.” 

This decided them. 

We set out with our best guns and hunting-knives, carrying with us some 
bamboos, a plank or two, and a few inflated skins to assist us in crossing Goose 
Marsh, where we intended commencing operations. 

Arrived at the edge of the morass, I proceeded with the utmost caution to get 
my little caravan over. The swamp was both wide and in some parts deep, and it 
was very uncertain all over ; but we alternately threw our planks and bamboos in 


Another Grotto. 


235 


front of us to walk upon, and in this way got across without meeting with any 
accident. 

Here and there on the way we found unequivocal traces of the boa ; but 
to our great joy nothing indicated that she had left either eggs or young behind 
her. 

A little further on upon the sharp acclivity of a small hill we discovered a good- 
sized grotto, from the botbom of which there issued a clear stream, while the vaulted 
roof above was hung with glittering stalactite. The floor was covered with a fine 
earth, as white as snow. To my great satisfaction I recognised in it the mineral 
called fuller’s earth. 

“ See ! ” I said, filling my handkerchief with several handfuls of it ; “ here is a 
present for your mother which I will undertake to say will prove most acceptable. 
It will do to clean our clothes with when we return travel-stained from our ex- 
cursions, and it will also serve the purpose of soap, and save me the trouble of 
■ baking lime.” 

“ Is lime used in the making of soa}:) 1 ” asked Ernest. 

“Yes,” replied I; “soap is made by mixing fatty substances with soda or 
potash, and without lime it would seriously injure the hands of those who used it, 
It is also made of ashes soaked in lime-water and mixed with fat. But all these 
preparations are somewhat costly, and they are replaced in most cases by this earth 
which we have just found, and which is called fuller’s earth, because it is used in the 
fulling of cloth.” 

Examining the stream a little more closely, I saw that it ran out of a fissure in 
the rock at the back of the grotto. Our curiosity was excited. The stone round 
about the opening was so soft that we had no difficulty in removing it, and Eritz and 
I went in, leaving J ames and Ernest outside to await our return. • 

In a few moments we found ourselves standing side by side in profound 
darkness. 

In order ta get some idea of the extent of this second grotto, I fired a pistol 
straight before me. The cave was quite as large as the one we had just left. As I 
wished to assure myself concerning the state of the atmosphere, I struck a light in 
the tinder-box and applied it to a candle-end which I carried in my jDocket. It 
burnt steadily. 

We advanced cautiously,- peering round on every hand as far as the rays of our 
dim torch extended, when Eritz cried out excitedly, “leather ! father ! it is another 
salt grotto ! See these marvellous crystals ! Look at these glittering blocks ! ” 

“ They are not salt crystals, my boy,” I said, “ for I have just tasted the water 
which runs down the centre here, and find it destitute of savour. My own opinion 
is that we are in a cavern of rock-crystal.” 

“You are right, dear father; I am sure you are right!” cried Eritz, growing 
more excited every minute. “ What a splendid treasure we have found ! ” 


236 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 



ERNEST IN THE REED-BED.— 238 . 


“Splendid enough,” I replied, “but of no more use to us ^ than was the 
ingot of gold to Eobinson Crusoe. We can neither ; eat . it, inor wear it, nor 
sell it.” 

“ At any rate,” said Fritz, “ it is beautiful to the eye, and I will carry some 
away to put in our museum.” 

With that he chipped off a piece with a hammer that he had with him. 

“How is this?” he asked suddenly, “when it is broken off it is no longer 
transparent.” 

“That,” I replied, “is because you have not broken it off properly. This 
pyramid of crystals, each hexahedral in form, clings to a very hard crystalline stone, 
called the mother crystal, which may easily be mistaken for the argillaceous earth 
in which it is found. A careful examination, however — it may be made with the 
naked eye — will show that there runs through it a delicate tissue of needle-like 
spars. These are in some sort the germ of the crystals ; for the crystals grow to 
them, and each set of needles and crystals forms a perfect and independent group. 
Now if, in getting such a piece as you have got just now, you separate a group, 
rending only one needle from its place in the mother-crystal, there follows a general 
breaking up of the whole stone — a series of almost imperceptible cracks — changing 
what was before as clear as water to an opaque milky hue.” 

“ How should one proceed to avoid this difficulty ? ” asked Fritz. 

“ You must raise the mother-crystal whole,” I replied, “ taking care to strike 




Rock-Crystal. 


237 



EXCURSION TO THE FARMERY.— p. 239. 


that only with your hammer : if you strike the other crystals, you will destroy 
them.” 

Conversing in this wise, we made our way across the grotto, Fritz pressing me 
with questions which showed a laudable desire for instruction, and I answering him 
to the best of my knowledge. Then, with the utmost care, we got out a perfect 
group of crystals, worthy to be placed in our museum. 

Our candle being nearly burnt out, I told Fritz it was time to return to the 
daylight. Before going, however, he begged and obtained leave to fire off his pistol, 
in order to enjoy the imposing effect of the detonation as its echoes reverberated 
through the vault. 

When I re-appeared with Fritz at the opening through which we had entered 
the grotto, I saw James standing in a state of utter desolation, sobbing heavily. 

At the first sound of our voices he ran towards, us, clapping his hands and 
shouting for joy. 

“ What is the matter, dear child ? ” I said : “ why so sad and so gay at the same 
time ? ” 

My joy, father,” he said, “ arises from seeing you again. My grief arose out 
of the fears which your prolonged absence caused me. Twice I heard a terrible 
report, followed by a ratthng noise which sounded as if everything were falling into 
ruins in the cave in which you and Fritz had disappeared ; and I did not know what 
to think.” 



238 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


“ Dear little lieart ! I said ; “ let iis embrace. Thanks to the gracious protec- 
tion of Heaven, we have not even run into danger, much less suffered harm. But 
where is Ernest ? ” 

“ He is down below there, in a reed-bed,” replied James. 

Leaving Eritz with James, I went in the direction taken by Ernest, and was 
not long before I came upon the young gentleman, squatting tranquilly upon a bed 
of reeds. He had heard nothing, and was quite undisturbed. He was occupied in 
weaving a new kind of landing-net of a very ingenious pattern, and I complimented 
him upon his work. 

‘‘ And that is not all I have done, father,” he said with a self-satisfied air. “ I 
have killed a young serpent about four feet in length. There it lies under those 
reeds by the side of my gun.” 

“ A serpent ! ” I exclaimed laughingly, as I moved the reeds to look at our 
young scholar’s prize. “ It is better than a serpent, Ernest. It is a fine fat eel, 
which will furnish us with an excellent supper this evening.” 

The other two boys now came up, and learning the mistake Ernest had made, 
they teased him. 

I interposed. 

‘‘ My dear Ernest,” I said, “ I am proud of what you have done ; noi because 
the creature you have killed will make us a good meal, but because you have given 
me a proof of that courage which I have always wished you to possess. You have 
only fought an eel, it is true, but you believed you were fighting a serpent, and 
in my eyes the two things are the same.” 

That said, we took up Ernest’s fish and net, and Eritz’s crystal, and set out for 
Bock-house. When we got there my wife was engaged in washing clothes. I 
leave you to imagine her surprise and pleasure when we handed to her the fuller’s 
earth 

The crystal was added to our collection, to the great joy of Erancis, who could 
never sufficiently admire what he called “ the great diamond.” 


CHAPTER XXX. 

EXCURSION TO THE FARMERY. — THE CABIAI.— THE ONDATRA. — THE CINNAMON-APPLE. 

Satisfied that there were no snakes on the Goose Marsh side of the country, I deter- 
mined that our second expedition should be to the farmery. 

I had for a long time entertained the idea of fortifying this part*t)f our domains. 
We made our preparations for setting out on the morrow; and seeing that the 
expedition, as I had planned it, was likely to occupy the whole family for some weeks 
to come, almost all our stock of movables was put into requisition — travelling tent, 
truck, cooking utensils, crockery, tools, and provisions and munitions of all sorts. 



Excursion to the Fariiert. 


239 


Fearing tliat, in the confusion, we might forget something of the first utility, I 
took charge of all the arrangements myself. 

At daybreak we were all afoot, both human beings and cattle. 

My wife was accommodated with a place in the car, which was drawn by Storm 
and Grumbler, our two brave oxen, who at the same time carried James and Francis 
upon their broad cruppers. 

Fritz, upon Lightfoot, trotted on about a hundred paces ahead; while I, on foot 
as usual, walked beside the cow ; and Ernest, on foot also, kept close to the carriage. 

We held ourselves at liberty, however, in case we grew tired, to mount the 
onager like Fritz, or take a rest in the car like our good housewife. 

Our flanks were sufficiently defended by the jackal and the four dogs. 

We set out full of confidence and good spirits. 

As it was our habit when we started on an expedition to give the goats, tiie 
sheep, and the 2:)oultry their liberty, my wife laid out plenty of food for them in the 
neighbourhood of Rock-house, to keep them together till we returned. 

At last we were fairly on the road to Forest Grange, where we intended to pass 
the night. We determined to fill our bags with corn by the way, and to make a 
more detailed survey of Swan Lake and the neighbouring rice plantation. 

At first we found a few ^ traces of the serpent, the sand being ploughed up here 
and there as if by a cannon-ball. These traces became fewer and fainter as we left 
Falcon-nest, and at last disappeared altogether. 

ISTor were there any signs of our old enemies the monkeys. 

Our farmery was in excellent condition. We dined with a good appetite, and 
after a substantial repast, set out to reconnoitre in the neighbourhood. 

I took little Francis with me this time, arming him with a gun i^roportionate to 
his size, and teaching him how to carry, load, and fire it. 

Ernest was left with his mother at the upper end of Swan Lake, which we were 
about to explore. Francis and I took the left bank, and Fritz and James the right. 

As we could not think of setting out without the more nimble of our four- 
footed allies, each party was accompanied by a small detachment of them. Ernest 
and his mother had Fan and Nip ; Turk and the jackal were with Fritz and James ; 
Francis and I had Brown and Fawn for our companions. 

Francis and I followed the left bank of the lake. We were much impeded in 
our progress by the und^erwood and reed-beds, but our dogs, on the contrary, jDloughed 
through these obstacles with as much enjoyment as if they were in their native 
element. 

Black swan, , herons, woodcocks, and wild ducks were flying about in every 
direction, and pursuing each other along the surface of the water; but greatly to the 
annoyance of little Francis, who was impatient to make his first essay in shooting, 
they were out of the Mnge of our guns. 

All at once we heard a strange lowing sound in the reeds. It was so much 


240 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


like the muffled braying of an ass that Francis took it to be the young onager escaped 
from Kock-house. 

‘‘ That cannot be,*’ I said. “ In the first place, the animal is too young to bray 
so loudly. Secondly, it is impossible that he should have passed us without our 
seeing him. I am rather disposed to think it is a bittern, or a kind of heron called 
the marsh ox. because of its cry, which resembles the lowing of cattle in the 
distance.” 

“ But, father,” asked Francis, ‘‘ how can so small a bird make so hideous a 
noise?” 

“ My dear boy,” I replied, “ you must not judge of the size of an animal by the 
volume of its voice. For example, the nightingale and the canary, which are very 

small birds, have very 
loud voices. They 
make themselves 
heard much further 
off than the duck or 
turkey. This is owing 
to the peculiar forma- 
tion of their throat 
and the proportions 
of their lungs. The 
bittern, when it is 
going to boom, thrusts 
part of its beak into 
the mud of the marsh 
in such wise that its 
voice returns upon 
itself, and acquires a loudness analogous to that of the lowing of an ox.” 

Heron or bittern, Francis was impatient to fire his first shot at the extraordinary 
bird. In order to assist him in his very natural desire, I called the two dogs, and 
indicated to them the direction in which the heron lay. 

Francis, gun to shoulder and finger on trigger, stood in readiness to fire. 

In a few moments there was a rustling among the reeds, and almost immediately 
thereafter a report of a gun, followed by a cry of triumph on the part of my little 
sportsman. I doubted not that he had made a successful debut. 

Hit ! hit !” he cried with all his might. 

“What is it?” I asked, for I was at some distance from him, and could not 
clearly distinguish anything. 

“A wild boar !” he cried — “a splendid wild boar !” 

“ I hope,” I said, “ you have not killed one of the little pigs which we left to 
run wild.” 



The Gabiai. 


241 



ERNEST ATTACKED BY MUSK-RATS.—;;. 242 . 


In saying this I ran up to where the little fellow was standing proudly over his 
prize, which had just been retrieved by one of our young dogs. 

Happily it was not one of our pigs, but a cabiai, cavia, or cavy, about two feet 
six inches in length. This animal has short stiff hair, very sleek, and of a blackish- 
brown colour, which becomes lighter as it reaches the belly. It lives upon aquatic 
plants, and can remain a long time under water, 

Wlien we were preparing to set out again, Francis, like a true sportsman, 
insisted upon carrying the cabiai slung over his shoulder. Unhap j)ily, however, he 
was not strong enough to carry so heavy a burden. 

I stood looking on, highly amused at his perplexity, but determined not to come 
to his aid until he had found out some method of helping himself. 

“Suppose I were to disembowel the animal !” he cried, after vainly endeavour- 
ing to struggle on under his burden. “ The weight would be lessened by so much, 
and then perhaps I might be able to carry it to Forest Grange.’ 


16 


242 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


The idea was a capital one, and in spite of the,' repugnance he had to the per- 
formance of the operation, he proceeded to put it into execution at once. 

But still the weight was too much for him, and with a heavy sigh he set to 
work racking his brains for some new expedient to get out of his embarrassment. 

“Ah! ah! I have it!” he cried at last. “ I shall throw my game across the back 
of Brown, who seems, so far as I can judge, quite strong enough to carry it.” 

“ Dear child, said I, “ it was the very thing you trained these dogs for, and now 
you are going to reap the reward of your patience and skill.” 

Francis, disembarrassed of his burden, which the honest Brown received upon 
his back with the utmost docility, set out again with the same vivacity and the same 
satisfaction that he had shown all along. 

We soon reached Pine Wood, where we made a short halt, and then returned 
to Forest Grange -without having lighted on any traces of the boa. 

Arrived at the farmery, we found Ernest surrounded by a number of large rats, 
newly slaughtered. ' 

1 asked, in astonishment, where they came from. 

“It was Master Nip'who discovered them,” he said, “in a nest specially built 
by these ingenious gentlemen, for their own accommodation, at the far end of the rice 
plantation. The story of their capture has something of the dramatic in it, as you 
shall hear. The nest is in the form of an oven, and Master ISTip, poking his nose in, 
sent out first one, then two, and then three of these rats. You can imagine how he 
ground his teeth and hissed at them. Well, I ran up, armed with my stick, and was 
incautious enough to crawl into the little mud-house, the better to judge of the 
number of enemies with which I and Yip had to do battle. 

“ Sounding here and there with my stick, I came at last to a place where I found 
what seemed to be a large cylinder, very artistically constructed of ooze, rice-stalks, 
and pieces of reed-leaves, when all at once I was overrun in the most menacing manner 
by a countless swarm of rats. It put me involuntarily in mind of the celebrated 
Bishop Hatto in the Bat Tower at Bingen. 

“ It was in vain that I stamped with my feet, and beat furiously about me with 
my stick. It was in vain that Master Yip, seated on my back, grinned and hissed 
more fiercely than ever. The abominable animals returned again and again to the 
charge. So critical did the fight become that, in despair of conquering, I cried out 
lustily for help. 

“ Yobody heard me except brave old Fan, who dashed up as swiftly as a fiash of 
lightning, and flung herself upon my antagonists with such slaughterous fury that in 
a twinkling a space was cleared around me. 

“I was saved. Those of my enemies that had not fallen before Fan’s onslaught 
made their escape even more swiftly than they had come, leaving me conqueror on the 
field of battle. My dear mother came up at this point, and helped me to carry away 
the wounded and the slain.” 


Tee Ondatra. 


243 


Ernest’s narrative had a double interest for me. Eirst of all, a son of mine had 
taken part in a dangerous adventure. Secondly, my curiosity was highly excited. 

I desired to be conducted at once to the scene of carnage. It struck me that 
the den of these animals resembled the habitation of a colony of beavers, though I 
knew enough of natural history to doubt whether beavers could be found in such a 
latitude. 

“My conjectures are confirmed,” I said to Ernest. “Your enemies are neither 
rats nor beavers, properly so called. They are rat-beavers, musk-rats, or ondatras, 
as they are called in North America, where their true home is.” 

In returning to our good housewife we met Eritz and James, who did not 
appear to us to be very well satisfied with the results of their expedition. Never- 
theless, Eritz brought in a pair of heath-birds, and James a dozen eggs wrapped up 
in a kind of fur. 

The children, united again, talked over the results of their sport, speaking with 
enthusiasm of those of their exploits which had been successful, and passing lightly 
over their failures. 

I told them that before dinner each of us had a duty to perform, which was to 
skin the rats. These animals were nearly as large as rabbits. 

Without loss of time we set to work. This operation accomplished, the skins 
were stretched separately upon the ground by the aid of small wooden stakes. Then 
we salted them, powdered them with ashes, and left them to dry in the sun. 

As to Erancis’s cabiai, it was cut up there and then. Part of it was placed 
upon the spit and eaten at once. ■ The remainder was put by for the next day. 
We did not enjoy the flesh much : there was a marshy smell and taste about it. 

During the repast the boys questioned me about the ondatra, or rather about 
the singular perfume which it emits, and from which it takes its name. 

“ Ordinarily,” I said, “ the musk-rat carries follicles under its tail, and in these 
is secreted a fatty fluid, which is sometimes agreeable and sometimes repulsive in 
smell. As to the use of these perfume-bags, I hardly know what to say about it, not 
knowing much on the subject. However, it enables the animal to disembarrass 
itself of enemies which do not like the smell. The beaver, the hyena, the badger, 
and especially the civet, all carry these musk-bags. The perfume is of a very 
evil nature when it is fresh, and does not acquire an agreeable odour until it 
is stale. 

Towards the end of the dinner, Ernest, always a young Sybarite, complained 
that we had nothing to take the abominable taste of the cabiai out of our mouths. 

Eritz and James at once pounced upon their game-bags, and presented him 
with some pine-cone kernels, two little cocoa-nuts, and some light green apples 
which had a very agreeable smell. 

“Stay! stay, boys, stay!” I cried. “What is this new fruit that James has 
brought us 1 Has he tasted it himself before ofiering it to his brother ? ” 


244 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“ No, dear father,” returned young giddy-head. “ I should have done so if 
Fritz had not stopped me, saying that it might ■ possibly be the poisonous fruit of 
the mancinul. But it looks so delicious a fruit that I hope he is wrong.” 

While praising Fritz for his prudence and blaming James for his thoughtless- 
ness, I cut open one of the unknown apples, remarking that, at all events, it did 
not resemble the mancinul inside, inasmuch as it contained no stone. Master Nip, 
approaching cunningly at this moment, snatched the half of the fruit which I had 
just cut off, and ate it up, at a convenient distance, with evident satisfaction. 

This was taken as a general signal. All the boys pounced upon the fruit 
with so much avidity, that I had some difficulty in sa\dng even one for my wife. 

Ashamed of their greediness, the boys at once hastened to offer their mother 
what was left in their hands, which, truth to tell, was not much. 

“Many thanks,” said she, “for your kindness, but I have a whole apple here.” 

They blushed under the good-natured rebuke. 

I questioned J ames anew as to the kind of tree from which he had gathered this 
delicious fruit. As I had supposed, it was the cinnamon of the Antilles. 

I saw that sleep, the result of the fatigues of the day, was invading all four of 
the boys. I invited them to take their rest upon the cotton bags, and set them an 
example myself. 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

HALT AT SUGAR-CANE GROVE. — THE PECCARIES. — AN OTAHITIAN ROAST. — THE GIANT 
BAMBOOS. — CONTINUATION OF OUR JOURNEY. 

We awoke at daybreak, after a peaceful and refreshing sleep, and renewed our 
journey in the direction of the plantation of sugar-canes, to which we had given the 
name of Sugar-cane Grove. We had previously constructed a hut there with the 
interlaced branches of trees, and this did away with the necessity of putting up the 
tent during the short time we expected to halt on our way. 

Whilst my wife busied herself with preparing our breakfast, I and my children 
scoured the neighbourhood, to see if there were any traces of the boa. We returned 
without having discovered any indication whatever of its passage through this part 
of our domains. 

We were hardly seated at table, regaling ourselves with fresh sugar-canes, of 
which we had been deprived for some time, when we were interrupted by the 
persistent barking of our dogs. We took our guns, and ran towards a thicket of 
reeds, whence proceeded all the tumult. After some minutes there appeared a 
number of little pigs, which were running with all their strength, in a row one 
after the other, like soldiers disciplined though routed. We had time to fire 
before they were out of reach. Three or four discharges from our guns killed 


The Peccaries. 


245 



PECCARIES. 


about a dozen of them, but did not interfere at all with the methodical and 
rapid retreat of the troop. This uniformity of movement, and the grey colour of 
the animals, convinced me that we had before us a kind of wild pig, very different 
to the European species. It was possible that they were musk-pigs, or peccaries. 

As we were some distance from the hut where we had left my wife, and as it 
was impossible to carry our spoils without the helj) of our cart, I sent James to fetch 
it, and he was not long in bringing it to us. 

Whilst we were waiting I was not idle. Remembering to have read some- 
where that the flesh of the peccary is not good unless care is taken, as soon as it 
is dead, to remove its little scent-bag, I hastened to perform this necessary operation. 
When all was finished we packed our booty upon the cart, which we covered with 
flowers and green boughs, and returned to the hut singing joyously. 

Notwithstanding the keenness of our appetites, the produce of this last hunt 
was too plentiful for us to finish it whilst the flesh was still sweet. It was there- 
fore necessary to take some measures for its preservation. 

While a special smoking-room was being constnicted by James and Fritz, whom 
I entrusted with this duty, desiring tliem to make all speed, I cut oflT the hams and 


24G 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


otlier choice parts of the animal, for future use. The carcasses, as well as the 
heads, were left to the dogs and the eagle. The good flesh was carefully washed, 
salted, and placed in sacks open at the top, which we hung to the branches of 
the trees. A large gourd-vessel caught the drippings of salt water, which were 
poured over it again through the openings at the top. 

The morning of the next day was employed in preparing an Otahitian roast, 
with which Fritz wished to surprise his mother. Under his direction his brothers 
dug out a cylindrical hole of a certain depth, in which they made a fire of branches 
and brushwood, so as to heat some stones. Whilst superintending the heating of 
his improvised oven, Fritz busied himself in the preparation of one of the pigs. 
He singed it, washed it, stufled it with potatoes and sweet herbs, and finally 
salted it, not in the Otahitian but in the European manner. I had told Fritz 
that, in default of banana-leaves, which are the best for this purpose, he had better 
envelope his animal in bark, so that it might be a little better protected against 
the dust and ashes; and, well for him, Fritz had scrupulously followed my recom- 
mendation. 

The flesh, after having been prepared as I have described, was buried in a 
bed of red-hot stones, mixed with charcoal, wood-ashes, and earth ; and whilst it 
was roasting quietly in this primitive oven, we returned to hasten the construction 
of the smoking-room, which we did not finish until evening. As soon as the 
hams were hung on the roof of the hut, which had been built by Fritz, we lighted 
upon a rude hearth, erected on the floor, a fire made up of damp turf and dry 
leaves, and it was not long before a thick smoke filled the hut, which we closed 
carefully in every part. I need not add that the smoke was kept up for several 
days, until the hams of the peccary were thoroughly penetrated by it. 

Three hours sufficed to cook the Otahitian roast perfectly. When lifted out of 
the bed of earth, sand, and stones which covered it, there rose from the bottom of 
the hole in which it lay an agreeable savoury odour, which prepossessed us favour- 
ably, and which reconciled our good housewife to that which she had ironically 
called, some hours before, a barbarian piece of cookery. Fritz was triumphant. 
After the repast, as there was no reason why the stomach should not be grateful, I 
thought over the exquisite flavour which had been communicated to the dish by the 
bark I had advised my eldest son to use instead of the banana-leaves. I examined 
the bark and the tree which had produced it attentively, and came to the conclusion 
that it could be no other than the ravensara of Madagascar. In Madagascan lan- 
guage this word signifies ^‘good leaf,” and from this the botanists have given it the 
Greek name of Agathophyllum, which has the same signification. ' It unites to the 
perfume of the nutmeg that of cloves and cinnamon, and an oil is extracted from it 
with which Indian cooks flavour all their dishes. 

The preparation of our hams kept us for two days near our smoking-room, and 
my wife, under the protection "of one of our sons, kept the fire moderately re- 


Excursion in the Savannah. 


247 


plenished, whilst the rest of us made some excursions into the neighbourhood. Every 
time we returned, which was at meal-times, we brought with us some booty. 
Amongst other treasures we discovered in the bamboo thicket a number of reeds 
about sixty feet in height, and proportionately thick, which we could easily use for 
casks, being careful to saw them near the knots. The thorns with which these 
knots were covered were as hard as nails, and were hailed by us with as much satis- 
faction as the reeds themselves. Also the young bamboo shoots, which we had 
gathered with the gigantic reeds, were specially appreciated by our good house- 
wife, who preserved them in vinegar, covering them over with ravensara leaves. 

On a journey to Prospect Hill, I saw with great disappointment that the 
monkeys had, as before, committed serious depredations at Forest Grange. The 
goats and sheep, too, had dispersed themselves in the neighbourhood, our fowls were 
become almost wild, and the cabin was in such a deplorable condition that I felt 
obliged to postpone to a future period the labour of repairing it. 

Some days were employed in laying out our route, as well as in preserving the 
pcjccary flesh. When it seemed to us sufficiently smoked, we made ready to set out 
and continue our journey. We took some hams to' increase our stock of provisions ; 
the rest we put into the smoke-house, which we carefully barricaded with sand, 
earth, and thorns, to protect it from the attacks of birds of prey, wild beasts, and 
apes. Then, early one morning, our little caravan gaily set out, with undoubting 
confidence in the protection of Providence. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

EXCURSION IN THE SAVANNAH. THE HERD OF OSTRICHES AND THEIR EGGS. THE GREEN 

VALLEY. FRIGHT OF ERNEST. THE BEARS. 

After a walk of some hours we arrived, without adventure, upon the outskirts of 
a small wood. The situation was charming, and well sheltered. The wood was 
bounded on the right by a steep rock, and on the left by the mouth of a river which 
emptied itself into the large bay. Within the distance of a gunshot lay the narrow 
defile, between the river and the rocks, which gave access to our domains. It was 
an agreeable and advantageous position from every point of view. We pitched our 
tent, and made the necessary arrangements for a more lengthened stay there. 
During the preparations for dinner I proposed an excursion into the wood, to assure 
ourselves that we had no unpleasant neighbours, and we met with nothing worse 
than some wild cats, which were occupied in hunting badgers, and which fled at, our 
approach. 

After dinner the heat became so suflbcating that we could not dream of under- 
taking anything. The evening was spent in preparations and projects for the 


248 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


following days, principally for the morrow, when we intended taking a longer excur- 
sion than any we had hitherto made. At sunrise we were ready, my three eldest sons 
and I, and having taken breakfast we set off, escorted by our four-legged skirmishers, 
Fan excepted. In passing through the defile we saw our barricade of bamboos 
broken and overturned, doubtless by the late hurricanes and inundations, and we 
concluded that it must have been by this opening that the boa had entered our 
domains. We determined to repair these ravages on our return. Before entering the 

savannah, Ave paused to survey 
the ; vast and magnificent land- 
scape that was spread before us. 
To the left, on the far side of tho 
river, which we had named pro- 
visionally the Eastern Biver, there 
stretched away to the far-distant 
horizon an undulating chain of 
mountains, crowned with greens, 
woods and palm trees, which 
stood out sharp and clear against 
the calm sky beyond. On the 
right, proceeding step by step to 
the skies, rose innumerable groups 
of steep rocks, which, barren 
and frowning, seemed to be as- 
cending from the plain to take 
a habitation in the clouds, amonjr 
which their furthermost ridges 
were already lost. These im- 
mense rocks formed a natural 
boundary to the magnificent 
country upon which we were 
looking. We forded the stream, 
whose shores appeared to us still 
pleasanter when, seated on the 
eastern bank, we saw the side of the mountains covered Avith clusters of shrubs 
smiling Avith verdure. But in proportion as we advanced the country grew more 
barren and arid. There was not a single trace of water. The grass became scarcer 
and scarcer. The only plants which we saw were dry, thorny, and without beauty ; 
indeed, such as one would expect to find upon a soil so scorched. Fortunately, we 
fiad taken the precaution to fill our gourds at the stream before leaAung it behind us. 

After a painful walk of two hours, during which my three young companions 
had only opened their parched mouths to rail against the heat and the fatigue, we 



THE OSTRICH.— 2^. 250 . 


Excursion in the Savannah. 


249 



THE HALT AT THE HILL-FOOT. 


am>ed at the foot of a hill which we had fixed upon as the furthest point of our 
journey. Here, with no desire to go further, we sat down under the shade of a rock 
for rest and refreshment. 

We contemplated in silence the magnificent view spread out before us, as it 
swept down from the blue mountains which cut the horizon at a distance of fifteen 


250 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


or twenty leagues, and lost itself beyond Eastern Eiver, whicli ran winding across 
the plain like a silver riband in the yellow sand. 

We lay there for some minutes, when Master Nip, smelling here and there in 
an excited manner, rushed hissing and crying towards the rocks, followed by our 
dogs, to whom he had given the signal of attack. We were little disposed to disturb 
ourselves, in the first place because we thought there was nothing particular the 
matter, and in the second, because we had just fallen-to upon our provisions, to which 
we were doing every justice. 

All at once, however, Fritz, who whilst eating was looking attentively before 
him, rose suddenly. 

“What do I see below?” cried he. “ It looks like two men on horseback. A 
third is approaching them at a gallop. They are coming in our direction. Father, 
can it be the Arabs of the desert ? ” 

“ It is impossible, my dear boy,” replied I. “ However, as we cannot be too 
prudent, take my telescope and look attentively. What do you see now ? ” 

“ I see a large herd of cattle grazing here and there ; then some haycocks 
walking, and loaded waggons which go and come from the wood to the river. What 
can all this be, father ? ” 

I smilingly took the telescope, and told my three boys, who were much excited 
by the adventure, that what they took for mounted cavaliers on large horses were 
only giant ostriches, to which, if they liked, we would give chase, since we had so 
fine an opportunity. They agreed with pleasure. 

The ostriches came nearer and nearer to us. I resolved to wait and surprise 
them, if that were possible. I therefore ordered Fritz to call in the dogs and the 
ape, whilst Ernest and I hid ourselves in a crevice of the rock, where Fritz and 
James, leading our animals, soon joined us. 

We could soon see the ostriches very distinctly, and they gradually drew near to 
us. There were five, four of which were females, the male being easily distinguished 
by his white feathers. 

“ My dear boys,” said I, “ if we intend to capture one of these creatures we 
must be careful not to startle them, for we could not dream of hunting an animal 
which could beat a horse at full gallop. Our eagle alone can match them in flight.” 

The ostriches had now approached to within a hundred paces of us. On seeing us 
they stopped, looking disquieted and irresolute ; but as we kept in the dogs, and our- 
selves remained all but immovable, they took courage and innocently came to meet us, 
swaying their necks first on this side and then on that, examining us with an air of 
mingled curiosity and astonishment which was very amusing. They might have 
familiarised themselves with our appearance, and come close enough for us to capture 
them by means of the lasso, if our dogs, who were very impatient, had not at this 
moment escaped and thrown themselves upon the ostriches with a great noise of 
yelping and barking. Like feathers carried, away by the wind, the ostriches dispersed 


Fright of Fbnest. 


251 


over the plain, using their wings as sails. They had the appearance of ships sailing 
over an immense sea of sand. In a few minutes they had vanished out of sight. 

Fritz meanwhile, following my recommendation, had quickly unbound the eyes 
of his eagle, and let him loose at the moment the ostriches took flight. 

The male, which we admired more than all on account of his beauty, was a little 
in the rear of the rest — for the purpose, no doubt, of protecting his companions. This 
circumstance proved fatal to him. Fritz’s eagle precipitated himself upon him, 
struck him in the neck, and knocked him down in less time than I can tell. The 
jackal continued the work. We came up just in time to secure a few feathers for 
our hats. 

We then continued our journey. Before long, Ernest and James, who were 
walking in front, stopped and called to us with all their might. 

Come quickly ! ” cried they. “ An ostrich’s nest ! an ostrich’s nest ! ” 

We ran, and there we saw in a hole in the sand about twenty eggs, as white as 
ivory and as large as the head of a child. 

“ It is a splendid And,” said I ; “but do not disturb the order in which these 
eggs are placed, for fear the hen should abandon them when she returns.” 

“ Do you not think they are already abandoned ? ” said Fritz. 

“No,” said I. “In this scorching climate the ostrich generally leaves her eggs 
to the heat of the sun in the daytime, and returns to cover them during the night.” 

The children could not, however, resist the temptation of taking one or two of 
these eggs to show to their mother. I therefore lifted two, which were on the top 
of the others, as gently as possible, and after having raised a little pile of stones, to 
enable us to find the nest again, we went on our way. 

We did not stay to explore a verdant valley which formed a very agreeable 
contrast to the calcined plains we had just traversed, and to which we gave, with 
one accord, the name that it deserved so well— Green Valley. Here and there, 
ill the distance, herds of buflaloes and antelopes were peacefully depasturing, and 
we should doubtless have been able to approach them easily had it not been for the 
barking of our dogs, who always ran before, seeking prey on their own account. 

By degrees we approached the cavern where James had caught his young 
jackal. 

We were only a short distance from it, when we saw the valiant Ernest come 
running towards us, pale and agitated, accomjianied by his friend Fawn. He had set 
cut on his own account to take possession of the cavern, in which we had deter- 
mined to rest awhile. 

“ A bear, father ! a bear ! ” cried he in a voice tremulous with fear, and he threw 
himself into my arms, clasping me closely, as if begging my protection. Ernest’s 
fright had a serious cause, for with the barks of our dogs were mixed growls of a by 
no means doubtful nature. I pressed forwards, gun in hand, recommending courage 
and prudence to my children. 


252 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 



THE EIGHT WITH THE BEARS. 


In a few moments a huge bear dashed out of the cavern, with a dog hanging to 
each ear ; behind him came another, still larger. 

Fritz, who followed me closely, chose this last for his adversary, whilst I pre- 
pared to do battle with the first, J ames, a little agitated but ready to do his part, 
stood a short distance off. Ernest alone, I am sorry to say, failed to form one of our 
group. He had not yet recovered from his emotion. 

Eiitz and I fired together. Unfortunately, neither of our shots was mortal, for, 
being afraid of wounding one of our dogs, who pulled their dangerous enemies hither 
and thither, and at times seemed to form part of them, we could not choose a spot to 
aim at. Still, I had shattered the jaw of one of the bears, and Fritz had broken one 
of the fore-feet of the othei, so that if they were not precisely unable to fight at all, 
they were both rendered rather less formidable. However, the two bears continued 
to defend themselves energetically — sometimes seated, sometimes upright — menacing 
us, and filled with rage, which expressed itself in growls that resounded in echoes 
through the cavern. 

It was necessary to finish the combat, for if prolonged it might have proved fatal 
to our courageous companions. I loaded one of my pistols, and, advancing a few steps, 
I chose the moment when the head of one of the bears was exposed, and quick as 
lightning fired a ball at it ; while Fritz, not less fortunate than myself, hit the other 
one in the heart. 



The Bears. 


253 


“ God be praised !” cried I earnestly, seeing our two enemies fall down in the 
last agonies of death. 

James, who had witnessed our victory, ran joyously to announce it to Ernest, 
and persuaded him to approach the scene of conflict. 

“Why,” said I, without thinking of reproaching his inaction in the face of 
danger, “ were you so eager to go first into the cavern ? ” 

“ Father,” he replied, in a guilty tone of voice, “ God has punished me, for I 
only went in there with the intention 
imitating the growlings of a bear. I 
never thought tliat two real bears would 
come to enact naturally a part which I 
was only intending to play as a joke.” 

“My dear children,” said I, “let 
us return sincere thanks to God, for if 
we have not met with the traces of the 
serpent that we sought, we have, instead, 
cleared the neighbourhood of our dwel- 
ling of two not less terrible enemies 

O 

whom we did not seek, and who might 
one day or other have come to find us.” 

These animals were in truth ter- 
rible. One, the largest, measured about 
eight feet in length, and the other rather 
more than six. Their powerful paws, 
their strong shoulders, their enormous 
necks, their glistering hides, which 
shone with a metallic lustre, excited 
the admiration of my boys, who, seated 
on the two still warm carcases, occupied 
themselves by examining them in detail. 

We certainly had before us two examples of the silver bear met with by Captain 
Clarke, on the north-west coast of America. However that might be, the skins of 
these beasts would furnish us with magnificent furs. But, as it was impossible for 
us to skin them at once, I contented myself with dragging the two bodies into the 
cavern, whose entrance we closed up with a thick trellis- work of branches. 

Fritz and James left the ostrich’s eggs there also, as the weight inconvenienced 
them; for it was late, and we should have to make all haste to return to our 
hut before nightfall. 


concealing myself, to frighten James by 



THE CONDOR.— 2^. 255 . 


254 


The Swiss Faiiily Robinson. 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

OCCUPATIONS OF :\IY WIFE DURING OUR ADSENCE. THE CONDOR. SKINNING AND CURING 

THE BEARS.— AN EXPEDITION BY THE FOUR BOYS. THE ANGORA RABBITS. THE 

ANTELOPES. — FRITZ’s NARRATIVE. — THE CUCKOO. — JAMES AND THE BEES. 

By sunset we were again witli our good housewife, who gave us one of the warmest of 
those pleasant greetings to which we had become so well accustomed after the day’s 
toils were over. Our nightly labours, to which we had looked forward with no great 
pleasure, were all accomplished. The repast was prepared. Even the fires which 
we burnt during the night to keep off beasts of prey were lighted. 

During supj^er we were called upon, naturally enough, to give an account of our 
expedition, which we did as briefly as possible, in order not to encroach upon the 
time necessary for our repose. 

My wife, on her part, told us how she, in company with Francis, had opened 
up a passage through the little wood to the foot of a hill, where she had found 
an extensive bed of fine argillaceous earth, known as pipe- clay. This, she thought, 
might be made the means of supplying her with a set of china, and she had 
brought home two or three bagfuls. Afterwards she had cut some bamboos, and 
with the tubes of these had constructed a spout to carry a stream of water from a 
small rivulet among the rocks to the place where our cattle were housed. Also, with 
her clay and some pieces of stone she had contrived to build an oven in one of the 
crevices of the rock. She had had some difficulty with the door, but overcame it at 
last in such a way as to render her contrivance all but perfect. Finally, she had 
harnessed the oxen, and brought in a large supply of bamboo-canes, to assist me in 
building the wall of defence of which I have previously spoken. 

I was gratified but not surprised. We — that is, my wife and I — had by this 
time reached a point at which we believed nothing to be impossible, if we set about 
it with patience and a determined will. We were no longer astonished at the results 
we achieved, whether as a family or as individuals : we were pleased, and sometimes 
proud of each other, but that was all. 

Of the numberless discoveries and inventions which the necessity of our situation 
had forced upon us day by day, during our sojourn in this island, time fails me to 
speak now. 

I hope some day to take up the narrative, when I am more at leisure in my 
own dear fatherland. 

To return : I thanked my brave wife cordially for the industry and thought 
she had displayed during our absence ; and in order to test at once the nature of the 
clay she had found, I made up a few balls of it, which I placed among the glowing 
logs of one of our night-fires. 


The Condor. 


255 


After this, we sought upon our pillows the rest we so much needed. 

A little before daybreak on the following morning, I got up — not without a 
sharp struggle with a certain degree of lassitude, very excusable after the labours 
of the preceding day — and called the^iamily. 

As I expected, the pipe-clay balls had become hai^d. I noticed, however, that 
tne heat had been too intense, and that our pottery was, in consequence, vitrified to 
an extent which would have rendered it useless had it been made up in the form of 
cups and saucers. 

I determined that, when we came to make the famous china tea-set, I would 
remedy this evil by constructing a furnace which should moderate the action of the 
fire. 

AYe offered our morning prayer. 

Then, breakfast finished and the oxen harnessed, we set out for Bear Cavern, 
which we reached without accident. 

Fritz — who, as usual, led the van of our little caravan — cried out, the moment he 
got in sight of the entrance to the cavern, “ Make haste ! pray make haste, if you 
wish to see a regiment of turkeys ! I do not know whether they have assembled 
to do honour to the funeral of our huge enemies ; but there is a fine proud fellow up 
in front there, who- seems to be a sort of royal guard, keeping away the crowd of 
humbler people from the place where the two sovereigns of the forest are lying in 
state.” 

That which Fritz had termed the royal guard was a bird of high stature, with a 
bright red combj long wattles clinging like a strip of flesh to its neck, a collar of 
white feathers falling ujijon its breast, and a bare pink neck, much wrinkled. His 
plumage was black, flecked here and there with white. 

He paced gravely up and down in front of the cavern, which he entered from 
time to time, as if to superintend the arrangements for some ceremony there. 

We were contemplating this strange spectacle with the utmost astonishment, 
when we heard a great noise in the air over our heads. We looked up, and saw 
a huge bird with an immense spread of wings. 

In an instant it fell among the turkeys, pierced by a ball which Fritz had sent 
after it. 

The feathered band, which we had seen assembled together at the entrance to 
the grotto, at once took wing and dispersed in all directions. The large bird, the 
supposed guardian of the dead, alone remained, contemplating with his great round 
eyes the body of his newly-arrived friend, upon which our dogs were on the point 
of precipitating themselves. 

He was not slow, however, to follow the example just set him by his companions. 
He started off at full speed, and there was left us only the bird Fritz had shot and a 
turkey which it had crushed in its fall. 

I entered the cavern cautiously, and soon found that the tongue and eyes of 


25G 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


one of our bears had disappeared. A few hours later, and their magnificent furs and 
succulent hams would have l)een lost to us. to the manifest advantage of the aerial 
mai’auders which we had just dispersed. 

I returned to the two dead birds, and, after an attentive examination, I came to 
the conclusion that that which we had taken for a turkej was a vulture found in 
Brazil, where it is called the uruhu, and that which Fritz had killed was a condor, 
as indeed was shown by the extraordinary size of its wings. 

"We spent the remainder of the day in skinning the bears, a labour which we 
found to be very unpleasant and very difficult. To complete it took us two days, 
during which time we bivouacked in the tent that we had erected a few steps from 
the mouth of the cavern. 

Our occupation during these two days was not quite to the taste of the boys, 

who, with the exception of Ernest, were 
burning with a desire to resume our 
expedition in search of serpent-tracks. 

I saw my children growing uj) 
around me, and becoming more manly 
and hardy every day, with a pride which 
I cannot well express. I could look 
forward to death without anxiety now. 
]My birds were able henceforth to fly 
with their own wings, the eldest pro- 
tecting the younger ones as I had pro- 
tected him, and supplying my place 
should I, in the providence of God, be removed from my headship over them. 

Feeling this confidence in them, I yielded to their earnest solicitations, and 
permitted Fritz, J ames, and even little Francis, who loved adventure as ardently as 
his brothers, to undertake with their dogs an expedition to the savannah, while I, 
contrary to my habit, remained at the tent with my wife and Ernest. 

They set out after I had addressed a few words to them on the value of union 
and prudence. 

While my active wife, assisted by Ernest, proceeded with the curing of the bears’ 
flesh, I found plenty of occupation in the cavern. 

I had remarked, during a careful examination, that the interior rock was formed 
of a species of mica, traversed by long threads of amianth. I proceeded to dig, and 
was not long in finding sheets of the former mineral, as much as two feet square, and 
transparent as crystal. It was a most valuable discovery, for henceforth we had a 
kind of glass with which to glaze our windows in lieu of the fish-glue, or isinglass, 
which was useless in the wind and rain. 

Towards the evening, while we were grilling a few appetising slices of bear’s 
flesh, and growing somewhat uneasy at the prolonged absence of our young huntsmen. 



THE DWAllF ANTELOPE.—/?. 259 . 


FitiTZ’s Narrative. 


257 


a sound of distant hoofs and a faint echo of hurrahs home upon the wind announced 
the return of the excursionists. 

I went to meet them. They leapt from their beasts at once, unsaddled them, 
set them free to depasture themselves, and walked home with me to the tent. 

James and Francis each carried a kid slung over his shoulder. 

Fritz’s game-bag was of a size that looked significant. 

Splendid sport, father ! splendid sport ! ” cried the lively James. Do you 
see these kids ? ” 



CAPTURE OF THE RABBITS.— p. 258. 


“ Yes, to say nothing of the Angora rabbits which Fritz has in his game-bag ! ’* 
added Francis precipitately. 

Yes, and to say nothing either of ” James was saying, with even more 

precipitation, when — 

“ Stay ! ” I cried, “ stay ! proceed in order, pray. Let Fritz begin : he will be 
able, I doubt not, to give us a correct account of your adventures.” 

* Fritz went on to tell his story. 

‘‘An hour after we left you,” he said, “we crossed Green Yalley at a brisk 
trot, passed through a ravine to the great plain, and found ourselves upon an 
eminence which commanded the surrounding country. From the spot on which we 
stood we could see the rocky defile, where a number of animals, which I believed to 
be either gazelles, goats, or antelopes, were quietly feeding. We determined to give 

17 


258 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


chase to them. I led the way cautiously, and in order to avoid frightening the 
game we held our dogs in leash. 

“ Arrived within a short distance, Francis took a course to the left, J ames went 
straight on, while I, mounted on the onager, set off to the right to cut off the 
retreat of any animal which should try to escape us. We advanced cautiously and 
quickly, you may be sure ; but, in spite of that, the herd took alarm. Several of them 
bounded from rock to rock, staying every now and then to toss their heads and prick 
up their ears. At this point we let the dogs loose, and galloped after them at full 
speed. 

^‘Distracted by the unusual sight and sounds, the poor creatures sought safety in 
flight ; but we had so ordered our plans that, start from where they would, they were 
compelled eventually to pass through the place we had chosen for them — that is to say, 
the defile. The first difficulty was over, but it now became necessary to devise some 
plan of turning our conquest to account. We determined to make the herd 
prisoners in the defile, and drive them home to Farm Grange. And this is how we 
did it : — W e stretched a piece of string across the road about three or four feet from 
the ground, and tied upon it the ostrich-feathers which we had in our caps, and some 
pieces of rag that were lying in the bottom of our game-bags. The wind blew these 
about, and the animals as soon as they saw them came to a dead stand, not knowing 
which way to turn. I had read of something similar being done in an account of a 
voyage made by Captain Levaillant, the naturalist j and I thought I might as well 
try my hand at the experiment. It was perfectly successful.” 

“Well done, brave boy ! ” I said, interrupting him. “ I am happy to see that 
you have profited by your reading. Now tell me how you took the Angora rabbits, 
and tell me also what you propose to do with them. I warn you that I am not 
very much disposed to admit them to our domains, for they multiply almost to 
infinity, and will prove very injurious to our fields and gardens.” 

“The capture of these rabbits,” said Fritz, “is due to my eagle, which pounced 
down upon a flock of them that were frisking at the foot of a little hill. He brought 
me two alive and one dead, which latter I gave him to eat for his trouble. As to 
the introduction of them into what you call our domains, have we not two little 
islands at our disposal which we could people with these pretty little animals without 
any danger or loss to ourselves whatever ? We should thus be assured of a delicacy 
for our table, and fur for our caps and other garments. We shall not always be able 
to supply ourselves with the sleek coats of the rat-beavers, for even if those creatures 
were plentiful, I doubt whether Ernest would be willing to do battle with them 
again for the sake of supplying us with fur head-dresses.” 

“ You speak wisely, my son,” I replied, “ and as you seem to be both able and 
willing to carry out your plan, I will leave its execution wholly in your hands.” 

“ Is it not our turn to speak now ? ” asked J ames, who was growing very im- 
patient. 


James and the Bees. 


259 


“ Undoubtedly,” I replied, smiling. “Let us hear how you brought down these 
beautiful kids.” 

“By hunting — sheer hunting !” he cried excitedly. “ Fritz was some distance 
off, engaged with his eagle and the rabbits. Our dogs were sniffing about in the 
underwood, when they put up two animals resembling large hares. They took to 
flight instantly, bounding and capering in the most extraordinary manner. We and 
our dogs followed them at the top of our speed. In about a quarter of an hour they 
were out of breath, and fell down as if they were dead. We got down from our 
cattle, drove away the dogs, and found that what we had supposed to be large hares- 
were young kids. We tied them by the legs and slung them over our shoulders. 
There ! that is the history of the day’s sport so far as Francis and I are con- 
cerned.” 

“ Good, my children ! ” I said, “ you have done well. The only remark I would 
make is that the kids, as you term them, are very fine specimens of the dwarf 
antelope. And now, James, I want you to explain how it is that your face is so 
swollen 1 Have you been fighting a legion of mosquitoes 1 ” 

“ Oh, no,” said James gaily, “ my wounds are more honourable than that. I will 
tell you how I came by them. We were all three returning home, when I noticed a 
bird that kept flying from tree to tree in front of us, and seemed to invite us by his 
soiig to follow him. I thought the bird was playing us some impudent trick, and 
put my gun to my shoulder to take aim at it, when Fritz stopped me, observing that 
it was of no use to Are, as my gun was loaded with a bullet : small shot, he saifl, was 
the only thing for such a bird as that at such a distance. ‘ Besides,’ he added, ‘ the 
bird resembles the Indicator cuckoo spoken of by Buffon and Latham, and it may be 
givinfic us counsel that it would be well to take.’ 

“ Upon that we determined to follow the bird, at all events for a short distance. 
After a few minutes it settled on a tree and ceased its song. We stopped also, and 
were not long in discovering that the trunk of the tree upon which it had posted 
itself was the retreat of a swarm of bees. The bird, which lives upon honey, no 
doubt coveted that store which it knew was concealed within, and, as its habit is, led 
us to the place where it was in the hope that we should leave it part of our booty in 
repayment for its services. 

“ We were trying to hit upon some means of taking the bees, when Fritz pro- 
posed to suffocate them with a sulphur match as you had done. I lighted one at 
once, and without stopping to plug up the hole threw it in among the buzzing 
colony. In a moment the whole swarm poured out and set upon me. I was assailed 
in so many places at once, and saw such clouds of fresh enemies pouring down upon 
me, that it seemed as if all the bees in the world were at my heels. They stung and 
tormented me until there was nothing left but to leap upon my buffalo and make off 
at the top of my speed. That is the story. You see the state I am in. It is not 
my fault, for I rubbed myself with damp earth as soon as I could get clear of my 


260 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


enemies, remembering that was the remedy which you applied when I was attacked 
by bees before. 

“ It was not the remedy alone that you should have remembered, my poor boy,” 
I said ; “ you should have recollected how to avoid the danger which made the 
remedy necessary. You cannot expect me to sympathise with you very deeply, for, 
having been stung in the same manner once before, lean only put down your second 
misfortune to want of common prudence.” 

My wife dressed the poor boy’s face and neck with salt-water bandages, which 
relieved his pain and left him free to make a hearty supper. 

Afterwards, assisted by the other boys, I made a sort of cage in which to 
transport the Angora rabbits, first to Rock-house and then to Shark Island. 

Then we retired to rest. 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 

SPURGE-OIL. — ARAB HILL. — CAPTURE OF AN OSTRICH. — ^THE RETURN TO ROCK-HOUSE. 

ANOTHER LARGE EEL. TRAINING THE OSTRICH.— HYDROMEL. HAT-MAKING. 

There were many things still remaining to be done before our return to Rock-house 
— a return which it was necessary to hasten for more than one reason, the most 
important being the approaching recurrence of the rainy season. 

Oiir bear’s fiesh had been salted and smoked ; but I did not wish to leave 
behind either the ostrich-eggs which we had found, or some spurge- oil which I had 
lighted upon in a little wood during one of our expeditions. 

I determined, therefore, to make a final excursion into the savannah. 

We set out, leaving at home with our good housewife, not little Francis, who 
desired to distinguish himself in our company, but the indolent Ernest, who now 
made no secret of his distaste for fatiguing journeys. 

Fritz on this occasion handed over to me his onager, and himself mounted 
young Swift, her foal, which was destined to become an excellent hack. Francis 
mounted his calf, and James his bufialo. 

Brown and Fawn very much wished to accompany us, but I thought it better 
to leave them behind for the protection of my wife, and I told Ernest to look after 
them. 

We took the Green Valley road, but in an opposite direction to Bear Cave, and 
eventually came to Arab Hill — the name we gave to the eminence from the top of 
which we had at first mistaken the ostriches for mounted Arabs. 

Arrived there, I permitted James and Francis to push on ahead, but without 
losing sight of them for an instant. 

As to Fritz, he stopped with me to assist in securing a supply of spurge-oil 
from the trunks of the euphorbia shrub, in which I had been careful to make 


Capture of an Ostrice. 


261 


incisions when I was there before. The sun had dried the exudations, of which we 
collected a large quantity, and placed it in some bamboo vessels that we had brought 
for the purpose. 

This valuable harvest achieved, we set out to overtake our advance-guard, who 
had got far beyond the ostrich-nest without knowing it. The two boys were strongly 
desirous of knocking over some of these couriers of the savannah, as well as of taking 
one or two alive for their brother Fritz, who had often expressed a wish to possess 
one. He now determined to join in the chase, and obtained my leave to remount 
the onager for the purpose. ^ 

We had not long to wait for the 
result of the sport. Before we had 
advanced far, four ostriches — three fe- 
males and a male — came out of the 
thicket in which our nest lay. 

As they made straight towards us, 
they fell in with our young compa- 
nions, who were accompanied by their 
dogs. There was but little chance of 
their escaping us. 

When they were fairly within 
range, I threw my lasso at one of them; 
but the cord, instead of getting entan- 
gled in the legs of the creature, at 
which point I aimed it, entwined itself 
round the upper part of the body. 

The motion of the wings was at once 
paralysed, but the vigorous animal 
began struggling fiercely to disembarrass 

itself of the ill-adjusted cord ; and I feel certain it would have escaped me if Fritz 
had not immediately dispatched his eagle, whose beak he had bound with cotton 
in order that it might not seriously wound our victim. 

The eagle pounced swiftly upon the ostrich, laid hold of it by the top of the 
head, and arrested it in its impetuous course. 

James, arriving at a gallop, threw his lasso, and, more adroit than I was, 
succeeded in entangling the legs of the animal, which fell heavily upon its 
side. 

To rush up and bind it more securely was the work of an instant. After 
having tied a handkerchief over its head — a precaution without which we should 
never have been able to master it — I strapped its wings down with a strip of dog- 
fish skin, through which I passed a strong cord. One end of this cord I attached to 
the collar of Storm the other to that of Grumbler. I had determined that the bird 



THE EAGLE AND OSTRICH. 



• The Swiss Family Robinson. 


'2C2 


should be thus led home between the two oxen ; and, as I did not wish that its 
kicking and struggling should in any way incommode these two faithful servants, I 
fettered its legs in such wise that it could walk with tolerable ease without having 
the power to do any harm. These precautions taken, I removed the handkerchief 
with which I had blindfolded it, and the lasso-ropes which pained it unnecessarily, 
and awaited the result. 

At first, irritated and humiliated at finding itself vanquished, the bird remained 
absolutely immovable upon the ground. Then, fancying itself free again, it all at 
once leaped u^d and tried to take wing. But the straps and cords held it back, and it 
fell upon its knees. 

It was soon up again, struggling furiously ; but, thanks to the strong necks and 
shoulders of Storm and Grumbler, it strove in vain. At length, being powerless to 
do otherwise, it gave up the unequal contest, and submitted to follow the gentler 
forward movement of its two brave conductors. 

While James and Brands, mounted upon their oxen, led our captive to Arab 
Hill, Blitz and I made our way to the ostrich-nest which we had discovered during 
a former visit to the spot. We were not many paces from it, when a female ostrich 
rose from the eggs so unexpectedly that we had time neither to fire at nor follow it 
before it was far beyond our, reach. 

The bird’s presence there proved clearly that the nest had not been abandoned, 
and we had some hope that we might find among the eggs at least one or two that 
were far enough advanced to be hatched artificially. We carried away ten of them, 
leaving the others buried in the sand, in order that the mother upon her return 
might continue her maternal office. 

We carefully slung our spoils to our saddles, and rejoined our young com- 
panions, with whom we set out for Bear Cavern, passing through Green Yalley in 
the way. 

On our return we were at first saluted with cries of admiration. But soon our 
good housewife grew alarmed at the bare thought of the prodigious quantity of food 
which our majestic prisoner would devour. 

“My good husband!” she exclaimed, “to what possible use can you put this 
huge glutton that will repay the drain it will cause upon our scanty stock of provi- 
sions during the rainy season ? ” 

“It will supply me with a swift steed,” said James, with enthusiasm; “and if 
our little country is joined anywhere to the continent of Asia or Africa, I will, 
thanks to our ostrich, make a journey thither in a few days, to seek help and news of 
our fatherland of the first European colony that I meet with. In anticipation of its 
future exploits, therefore, I name it ‘ Tornado for it shall travel as swiftly, or I 
have no skill in ostrich-breaking. So soon as he shall be taught to obey the bit, I 
will be his rider, and Ernest shall have my dear buffalo. Storm.” 

After a little pouting and recrimination on the part of Brancis, the ostrich was 


Return to Rock-Rouse. 


263 


unanimously awarded to James, who from that moment took possession of it and 
began its education. 

It was too late to-day to -think of returning to Forest Grange ; but early the 
next morning we were all on the way thither, human beings and cattle. 

The ostrich marched with bandaged eyes between the two oxen. The car was 
harnessed to the cow, on whose back Ernest rode. James and Francis naturally 
mounted Storm and Grumbler. I was upon Lightfoot, and Fritz upon Swift. My 
wife rode on the car. Altogether we formed a highly picturesque caravan. 

M^e made a short halt in the defile. The children desired to carry away the 
ostrich-feathers which they had put up to catch the antelopes ; and I was not sorry 
of the opportunity to take in a supply of pipe-clay and of aromatic beans with the 
scent of the vanilla-tree about them, which my wife, had discovered during one of her 
useful rambles. 

Before setting out I took care to repair our barricades, so that they mi^ht be 
impregnable as well to rodent aninials as to beasts of prey. I also efiaced from the 
soil all traces of our journey, in order that when we came again we might have no 
difficulty in detecting the footsteps of strange animals. 

This done, we set out, intending to reach Forest Grange before night- fall. The 
only halt we made was at Sugar-cane Grove, where we collected our peccary hams, 
by this time properly smoked. 

Directly we reached the farmery we unharnessed our beasts, partook of a hastv . 
supper of cold meat, and flung ourselves upon our beds of cotton ; for we were worn- 
out utterly by fatigue. 

At daybreak I went out to the poultry, and saw with pleasure that among 
the chickens hatched by our hens were several fine fat pullets. My wife desired to 
carry these to Rock-house, our favourite dwelling-place, towards which we seemed 
to be drawn after our long absence by a kind of nostalgia, or home-sickness. 

W e arrived there towards noon. 

The first care of our good housewife was to throw open the door and all the 
windows, and begin dusting, sweeping, scrubbing, and washing so vigorously that, 
absorbed in this highly commendable labour, she altogether forgot to prepare dinner, 
and we were obliged to content ourselves with a cold meal. 

While the two younger boys were helping their mother, I proceeded with the 
two others to the unpacking and provisional stowing away of our booty. 

The ostrich, relieved of the .bonds which attached it to the oxen, was tied up in 
front of our dwelling, under the arbour of branches, where I decided it was to 
remain until properly tamed. 

The ostrich-eggs were placed in tepid water for some time ; and those in which 
we believed there were young were afterwards placed on a cushion of cotton, and 
deposited in the oven, which, with the aid of a thermometer, I raised to the neces- 
sary temperature for their incubation. 


264 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


The Angora rabbits were the same day transported and left on Shark Island, 
where their mission was to acclimatise themselves and propagate their species. We 
resolved to pay them a visit soon, and prepare them a proper dwelling-place for the 
rainy season. 

In our new division of territory, Whale Island fell to the dwarf antelopes, 
which, though nearly dead when taken, revived, and with care became as strong and 
active as ever. We were particularly desirous of keeping these graceful creatures in 
our immediate neighbourhood ; but we feared that the dogs, unable to withstand so 
tempting a prey, might worry them when we were out of sight. 

As to some land-turtles which we had found in the vicinity of Sugar-cane 
Grove, and of which we had left a couple at Forest Grange, I at first thought of 
turning them loose in the kitchen-garden to rid it of the snails that infested it. But 

as my wife had less fear 
of the ravages of the 
latter than of the dam- 
age which the turtles 
might do among the 
young plants, I told 
James to go and place 
them among the reeds 
in Goose Marsh. 

The boy carried the 
creatures off at once. 
Scarcely had he reached 
his destination, when I 
heard him calling for 
Fritz at the top of his 
voice, saying, “ Make 
haste, Fritz ! Pray make haste ! and bring a stick with you T* 

I thought at first that it was some frog-hunting freak, for there were a great 
many of these creatures in the marsh, and James liked nothing better than to 
pursue them till they leapt souse into the water. Great was my surprise, therefore, 
to see the boys returning with a magnificent eel, which had been taken upon a line 
secretly laid by Ernest before we set out on our excursion. A portion of the 
delicious fish was immediately prepared for our dinner. The remainder was 
preserved in butter and salt for a future occasion. 

Previously to this we had run out a verandah in front of the grotto, supported 
by slender bamboo columns, around which trailing plants of all kinds crept up and 
depended in graceful luxuriance. We now planted at the base of these columns 
some pepper- vines and the aromatic beans which we thought resembled in odour the 
fruit of the vanilla- tree. 



Return to Rock-House. 


265 



TORNADO AS A SADDLE-HORSE.—;?. 267 . 


My wife claimed for her pantry the bear and peccary hams, as well as a little 
keg of fat which we had extracted from these animals. The skins of the bears were 
laid to soak in the sea, huge stones being placed upon them to prevent their being 
carried away by the tide. 

The fat pullets which we had brought from Forest Grange were kept in a cage 
out of the reach of Master Nip and the jackal. 

The condor and the vulture were laid provisionally upon a shelf in our museum. 


266 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


We postponed our stuffing of them till the rainy season, when we should have more 
leisure. 

The amianth, the mica, and the pipe-clay were carried, also provisionally, into 
our workshop, where I intended to put each to its proper use so soon as time should 
serve for the purpose. 

Having handed over to my wife everything that was of an eatable character, I 
reserved to myself the gum of the euphorbia, which I tied up securely in a triple 
packet, writing thereupon in large letters, as a jDrecaution against the too curious 
appetites of my children, the forbidding and fatal word “ Poison.” 

The skins of the musk-rats were strung together in a bundle and hung in the 
roof of the verandah, in order that they might not become offensive to us. 

These arrangements lasted two days. When they were completed, I began to 
think of digging up and sowing a field with grain, training the ostrich, and pre- 
paring the skins of the bears — all which projects had suffered nothing by a little 
delay. 

Our agricultural labours — so little were we used to work of this kind — 
were very irksome. Notwithstanding that the whole family assisted me, I was not 
able to dig and sow more than a single acre of land. The spot chosen was in the 
neighbourhood of my wife’s small plantation of sugar-canes. My boys and I were 
able now to comprehend the truth of the Word of God, “Thou shalt eat thy bread 
in the sweat of thy brow.” A third of the acre was sown with Avheat, a third 
with maize, and a third with barley, while here and there, as heretofore, we scattered 
over the uncultivated land a few handfuls of other species of grain, relying upon 
' Providence and the fertility of the soil to cause them to bring forth fruit in their 
season. Also, on the other side of Jackal Piver, I set apart a piece of land for the 
culture of those valuable roots, the potato and tapioca. 

As, owing to the heat of the noontide sun, we only devoted four hours a day to 
these labours — two in the morning, and two in the evening — there remained in the 
intervals a good deal of time which we employed otherwise. 

We undertook, for instance, the training of Tornado (this, the reader will 
remember, was the name J ames gave to the ostrich) ; but I am bound to confess that 
we did not at first succeed very w’-ell therein. 

I was obliged to stupefy the poor creature with the fumes of tobacco, as Ernest 
had done with Fritz’s eagle. When she was in this state the children mounted her 
in turn, to accustom her to the weight of their bodies and the novelty of being 
ridden after the manner of a horse. This she permitted us to do, not having any 
will of her own during the existence of the state of torpor into which the tobacco 
threw her. But in spite of our patience and perseverance, in spite of our caresses, 
in spite of the excellent litter we had provided for her, in spite of the care we 
had taken day by day to lengthen the cord with which she was attached, in order to 
■give her more liberty as an earnest of still greater freedom in the future, she 


Training the Ostrich. 


267 


remained quite intractable. The poor creature, indeed, refusing all nourishment, 
seemed at last to have resolved to perish of hunger, to punish us for having 
separated her from her companions in the savannah. 

She became so feeble and wretched that I began to fear we should not rear 
her, and to regret that we had ever deprived her of her native freedom. Happily 
my wife one morning hit upon a plan of relieving us of our difficulties. She 
prepared some balls of bruised maize and butter, such as they fatten capons with ; 
and these we gave to the ostrich, who swallowed them eagerly. From this day the 
creature ate everything we placed before it. So robust did its appetite become, 
indeed, that our fears underwent an entire change. From doubting whether it 
would live, we came to doubt whether we should be able to find food enough 
for its support. Fortunately, however, about this time Madame Tornado took to 
alternating pebbles with her other food — a fact which led the boys to think that she 
might probably come to eating pebbles altogether, till I told them that she swallowed 
stones only for digestive purposes. 

Her strength thus revived, her education was proceeded with vigorously. In 
less than a month, she knew how to sit down, get up, turn, walk, trot, and gallop at 
the command of her young driver, James. 

As we desired to use her as a riding-horse, it was necessary to make her a bit 
and bridle ; and I was much embarrassed to know what to do in the matter. A bit 
was indispensable to guide her with ; but who ever saw a bit adapted to a beak 1 

I was on the point of giving the thing up, when I recollected to have noticed 
that the^lternation of light and shade had a great influence over her j and I con- 
ceived the idea of making for her a leathern hood, something like one which Fritz 
had made after the manner of falconers to manoeuvre his eagle. Bringing the cap 
far enough down the neck to fasten it securely, I cut in it two square flaps like the 
blinkers of a horse’s bridle, and these I attached to reins which could easily be 
managed by the rider. By shutting one of the blinkers, the ostrich would at once 
be turned in the direction of the other whence the light came. By shutting both, 
she would be stopped altogether. By opening botli, she would be directed straight 
ahead. 

The saddle also required a good dear of ingenuity ; but, in spite of the 
difficulties of the enterprise, I came out of it with so much honour that, could the 
sovereign of England have heard of me, I doubt not I should have received a 
royal patent affirming that I was the best saddler for ostriches in the neighbourhood 
of Cape Disappointment. 

The equipment of the ostrich finished, we tried her capabilities, which were 
beyond our expectations. If she declined to do much as a draught beast, she justi- 
fied her name of Tornado by her performances as a saddle-horse. She accomplished, 
for instance, the journey between Falcon-nest and back again before Fritz upon his 
onajrer was able to traverse more than half the distance. 

O 


268 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


So superior, indeed, was she in speed to any of our other animals, that Fritz, 
Ernest, and Francis grew jealous of James, her master, and begged me to withdraw 
the gift we had made him. But I held steadfastly to our first decision, and James 
continued to retain possession of his ostrich, which, however, was none the less the 
property of his three brothers, for they rode it almost as often as they pleased, and 
were allowed equal rights in its services when they required them. 

Also they were able to console themselves with the thought that the eggs in the 
oven might possibly furnish each of them, some day, with as good a mount as their 
fortunate brother’s. Their hopes were of short duration. The eggs were hatched 
well, and the chickens at first looked healthy; but after a few days, notwithstanding 
our solicitude and almost maternal care, they died for want of that nourishment 
which Nature alone can provide in her own benignant way. 

The preparation of the bears* skins had proceeded simultaneously with the 

training of the ostrich and other small labours. In 
place of bark, I tanned them with a vinegar made 
of honey; and for a fleshing-knife, I used the 
blade of an old sabre. To soften them and render 
them fit for use as leather, I rubbed them well 
with a compound of grease and ashes, which pro- 
duced the precise effect intended. 

Speaking of this vinegar, I may mention here 
in passing that while making it for the use I have 
mentioned, I obtained, without any intention of 
doing so, an excellent hydromel, or honey- water. 

FRANCIS IN HIS SWISS BiRELTA. q'jjg attempt to achieve the useful had broug.ht 

forth the agreeable, and henceforth my boys and 
I were assured of a refreshing drink during our thirst-producing daily labours. 

My double success as tanner and distiller emboldened me. I took a turn at the 
trade of the hatter, and essayed to make a beaver-hat of the skins of the musk-rats 
for little Francis. As, however, this was a kind of industry for which none of my 
previous occupations had fitted me, I at first failed to achieve my ends. But I was 
not thereby discoimaged. After several attempts, I obtained a sort of felt, to which, 
for want of a more sober dye, I imparted a brilliant red colour obtained from the 
cochineal insect. To render the fabric impervious to wet, I impregnated it with 
caoutchouc. When it was thus prepared, I moulded it upon a block, and placed it 
in the oven for a night to dry. The next morning we had the satisfaction of drawing 
out a magnificent red Swiss birelta, light in weight, and sufficiently strong for all 
reasonable wear. 

My wife, delighted to witness the pleasure with which Francis contemplated his 
new cap, added thereto a lining of silk, a band of gold lace, and a plume of ostrich- 
feathers. 



Return of the Raint Season. 


269 


At first the child was not at all at ease in his new hat : its brilliancy contrasted 
so ludicrously with the old caps worn by myself and his brothers. T was, therefore, 
obliged to promise that I would make similar bireltas for the whole family, provided 
the boys would supply me with skins. 

They brought enough to make fifty hats. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 

RETURN OP THE RAINY SEASON. — MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY. — BUILDING A CAJACK. — 

VOYAGE TO SHARK ISLAND. 

These several occupations had so engaged our attention that we failed to note the 
approach of the rainy season. As it set in, my success as a tanner, distiller, and 
hatter induced me to seek new laurels as a potter. 

The dining-room served me for a workshop. My lathe was constructed of a 
cannon- wheel, adapted to a wooden axle, to which I fixed a piece of board cut in a 
circular shape. By way of a beginning I made some bowls, intended to replace our 
calabash vessels, which did not keep the milk sufiS.ciently fresh. With the view of 
beautifying my work a little, I mixed with the clay some particles of mica. Also I 
sought amongst the spoil from the wreck for a case containing glass trinkets, which 
had beenHshipped for the purpose of barter with the savages. I pounded on the 
anvil a certain quantity of the blue and yellow contents of the case, reducing them 
to an extremely fine powder, which I sprinkled over my porcelain when it was 
about half-baked. It melted and formed an excellent enamel. I then obtained, 
after one or two unsuccessful attempts, and not a few misfortunes, several coflfee- 
cups, a sugar-basin, and six small plates. 

What I have so briefly set down here occupied, as you may well imagine, a 
good deal of time. I had first to make models in wood — a work which, owing to 
my unskilfulness as a turner, was at least but imperfectly done j and then upon 
these I had to mould others, which were eventually to become the utensils we desired 
to manufacture. 

My stock of clay being exhausted, and the rain not permitting me to renew the 
supply, I occupied myself, to the general satisfaction, in stuffing the condor and 
vulture. I laid the skins to soak in tepid water, into which I threw a little of the 
gum of the spurge-tree, to prevent the future ravages of insects. Thus softened and 
rendered impervious to corruption, I stretched them over pieces of wood, carved out 
in the form of the birds to be represented. Small rods, covered with cotton wire, 
were placed in the neck, while the wings were supported in their proper positions 
with the aid of wire. For eyes I made four small balls of porcelain, of the requisite 


270 


Tee Swiss Family Bobinson. 


size, whicli I painted and baked, and which restored to the two birds their natural 
appearance. 

These occupations were succeeded by others, for the rainy season kept us 
prisoners, and we determined to make good use of our leisure. It was repugnant 
to my feelings to see my boys unoccupied. We set up daily readings. Ernest gave 
lessons to little Francis, which James voluntarily turned to his own profit. I gave 
a course of lectures on natural history, which was fully as instructive to the master 
as to his pupils ; for our island yielded thousands of specimens which in Europe were 
unknown. 

For all this, however, we were not able to wile away the monotony of the long 

days. 

Fritz came to the rescue. 

“ Now,” said he, “ that we have in the ostrich a rapid traveller by land, we 
ought, I think, to have another for a sphere a little more extended. I mean the 
sea. What if we were to make a Greenland canoe, or cajack 1 ” 

I fell in with the proposition at- once ; it was hailed by the youngsters with 
enthusiasm ; but my dear wife received it with a sigh of apprehension. Com- 
pletely ignorant of what a cajack was, she dreaded that we were about engaging in 
an imprudent enterprise. I tried to reassure her by explaining that a cajack was 
a wonderfully safe kind of canoe, covered with the skin of the dog-fish, and very 
strong and buoyant. Hearing this, she was constrained to give her assent to our 
project, in spite of the aversion with which any vessel designed to traverse the sea 
inspired her. 

We set to work at once, in order to have, at least, the body of the canoe 
finished before the return of the fine season. First of all, with the aid of our largest 
whalebones, which were of a curved shape naturally, and which I joined together 
end to end, I made two keels fitting into each other, and of about twelve* feet in 
length. 

I gave them a coat of resin, and underneath cut three holes, into which I fitted 
some small castors to facilitate the transport of the skiff on land. I then fastened 
the two keels securely together with bamboos, and ran up at each end a new whale- 
bone, which was intended to form the prow and stern of the cajack. I also bound 
the keels together with a band of copper, to which I fixed an iron ring for mooring 
purposes. Split bamboos served to build up the sides of the vessel, excepting the 
higher parts of it, which I formed of reeds similar to those which grew in Goose 
Marsh. I also worked some of these reeds in amongst the split bamboos, and so 
shaped the vessel to my liking. The deck extended over the whole surface of the, 
cajack. I cut a circular opening in it for the oarsman, and round the opening 
placed a rim over which he could fasten his waterproof cape, and so keep the sea 
from entering the hole. In an ordinary cajack, the Greenlander who rows it is 
obliged to kneel during the process — a fatiguing position if long continued. Among 


Building a Gajack. 


271 


other innovations upon the ordinary form of the boat, I placed in the opening a 
movable seat, which the occupant could either use or not as he pleased. 

The body of our canoe was finished. Owing, perhaps, to the seat, it was a little 
higher than it should have been ; but happily that modification did not appear to 
affect its lightness or its elasticity. 

Much as we had accomplished, our task was but half completed. After having 
carefully caulked all the joints with a mixture of tar and moss, we covered the 
skeleton of the boat inside and out with two of our largest dog-fish skins, so as to 
cover over the bamboos and reed- work 

Dog-fish skins were also strained over the deck, and fastened down by bamboos, 
which formed two bulwarks to the boat. I forgot to 'say that the hole cut in the 
deck for the rower was placed a little farther back than is usual, because I wished 
to put up a mast forward. For the present the skiff had to be rowed with a paddle, 
to one of whose blades I fastened a bladder coated with wax, the better to assist its 
occupant in swimming to shore should he be capsized. 

At length, to the general satisfaction, the cajack was finished. But before I 
could permit its owner, who could be none other than he who had at first conceived 
the idea of making it, to venture to sea, I begged my wife to try all her ingenuity to 
the utmost to make him a suitable swimming dress. This dress, by my advice, was 
to be so constructed as to form a covering adapted to the size and shape of the hole 
in the deck, and to envelop the rower completely — of course, leaving his movements 
unfettered.^ Besides this, as it was necessary to provide against every contingency, 
the dress was made double throughout, so that air could be injected into it by means 
of a small tube provided with a stopper. The rower would thus be able to inflate 
himself like a balloon, and to float on the surface of the water by his own specific 
gravity. 

The wet season passed away in these interesting occupations, and in other 
employments more or less important ; but in spite of the rapidity with which time 
flew by, we did not the less joyously salute the return of the fine weather ; for it 
was also the return of our journeys in the open air, and in our fruitful woods and 
savannahs. Fritz, especially, longed ardently to make a trial of the Greenland- 
Swiss cajack, and I was not less carious than he to know how it would succeed. 

At last, on a fine afternoon, our strange craft was launched into the sea. 
Fritz, in order to honour the life-coat which I had devised and my wife had made, 
put it on, inflated it, and walked boldly into the water, where he floated as securely 
as if he had been walking on land. His brothers were as much amused as astonished 
at the strange figure he made, and because of the protuberances which the coat 
made both before and behind, laughingly gave him the nickname of Punch. 

Fritz, however, without paying attention to them or their jokes, pushed forward 
and at length reached Shark Island, to the great delight of his mother and myself, 
who had arrived there in our pirogue, in which we had set out to follow him. We 


272 


The Swiss Family Bobinsok 


paid a visit to our dwarf antelopes, and left them a supply of bruised maize, salt, and 
sweet acorns. We could see by the condition of the place that they often took 
refuge beneath the shed we had built, and we had therefore no fear but they would 
find the food we left them. 

Before setting out again, we made a tour round the island in order to collect 
some corals and shells for our museum. We found an unusual quantity of sea- 
wrack and other marine plants, of which, at the request of our good housewife, the 
boys carried away several armfuls. 

On our return to Deliverance Bay, she selected from amongst these plants 



THE CAJACK AND PIROGUE AT SEA. 


several serrated leaves of about six or seven inches long, which she carefidly washed 
and spread in the sun to dry, afterwards placing them in our oven with a sort of 
mysterious solemnity ; on which I bantered her, but without, for the moment, 
obtaining any satisfactory explanation. Some days afterwards, when we had 
returned wearied, hungry, and thirsty from a tour to Falcon-nest, the dear woman 
set before us, in a large gourd-dish, the finest transparent jelly we had ever seen. 
It was neither more nor less than the product of the famous leaves which my wife 
had prepared unknown to us, in order to give us a surprise. I leave you to judge 
whether her ruse succeeded, and also to imagine the avidity with which we fell-to 
upon the new dish. My wife told us afterwards that during our excursion to Shark 
Island she had recognised amongst the marine plants some leaves similar to those 
which she had seen prepared with sugar and the juice of citron, or of orange, by the 
housewives of the cape where we put in for a time during the ill-fated voyage which 


Voyage to Shark Island. 


273 



TRYING A NEW TRADE.— 278 . 


brought us to these parts. She had simply substituted for the citron, which alone 
was lacking, vinegar, honey, and a little cinnamon. 

Our plantations of mangroves, cotton-plants, pines, and cocoa-trees in Shark 
Island were in excellent condition. AYe therefore hoped to find those in Whale 
Island, towards which we soon directed our steps, equally prosperous. On our 

18 


074 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


arrival I perceived that the number of our rabbits had increased, and the little 
gourmands had gnawed the bark of our young trees, and entirely devoured the 
cocoa-nut shoots. The pines alone were spared, no doubt owing to the unpleasant 
taste of their sap. In order to preserve our nursery from similar devastations in 
future, we surrounded it with a thick prickly hedge. , 

"We saw again on the coast the carcase of the whale, so cleanly picked by the 
birds, and blanched by the action of the wind and sun, that I had no difficulty in 
carrying away those parts which seemed to me likely to be of use — as, for example, 
the vertebrae of the dorsal fin. I took at the same time some specimens of two 
marine plants which I had seen the rabbits eating — one of a disagreeable marshy 
smell, which might possibly be the Fucm saccharinus ; the other of a most decided 
violet perfume, Avhich might be the Fucus palmatus. 

We returned to our favourite habitation, revolving new projects for the future. 


CHAPTER XXXYI. 

A RAT-HUNTING EXPEDITION. — RAVAGES BY PIGS. — RETURN OF THE HUNTERS. 

SKINNING THE ANIMALS. THE HARVEST. THE HERRING-SIIOALS AND DOG-FISH 

AGAIN. 

One morning, while three of the boys were absent with their mouse-traps seeking 
the first elements of their future hats, I set out alone, leaving Ernest reading in the 
library, to find a tree of the right shape and size to be used in the making of a 
pounding-mill to braise our corn. I also desired to renew our supply of loam, which 
by this time was getting very low. , 

I harnessed Storm to the old truck, and, accompanied by Pan and Brown, 
directed my course towards the nearest wood to Jackal River. 

Arrived on the other side of the bridge, I went to look at our potato and 
tapioca fields, and, to my annoyance, found them well-nigh laid waste by the ravages 
of some kind of marauders which, judging from their foot-marks, I took to be pigs. 
Their tracks, which I followed, led me along by the rocks, and through a coppice to 
the old potato-field not far from Falcon-nest. 

Evidently the invaders were very numerous, or they could not have committed 
so much devastation. However, none of them put in an appearance, and I already 
despaired of meeting even one to chastise him as a warning to the rest, when the 
furious barking of the' dogs, mingled with a dull grunting sound, satisfied my 
legitimate impatience. I ran to the spot whence the sound proceeded, and saw,’ 
facing the dogs, our old sow — now become almost a wild animal — surrounded by 
eight little pigs of about two months old, and a larger pig — one of her first litter — 
which we had left for the purpose of increasing the race. This latter animal was 
now almost as large and savage as its mother. 


Return of the Hunters. 


275 


Overcome by the anger which the devastations of these marauders had caused 
me, I fired off both my barrels among the herd that stood before me grunting and 
showing their teeth. Three of the little pigs fell, and the remainder made off 
at once for an adjacent thicket, pursued by the dogs, which I immediately re- 
called. I carried the carcases to the truck and again set out in quest of my tree. 

I found one at some distance from the loam-pit. The trunk measured about 
two feet through, and was straight and smooth. Having marked it, after the manner 
of other woodmen, T returned to the grotto. 

Our young rat-hunters had not yet returned. My wife w^as still alone with 
Ernest, who had not long finished his reading for the day. 

Towards evening, just as we were beginning to grow anxious about them, the 
three boys returned, heralded by J ames, who was mounted upon his ostrich. 

Eritz and Erancis escorted two large sacks, carried by Grumbler, and containing 
four duck-bills, twenty ondatras, a kangaroo, a monkey, two animals of the hare 
species, and a half-dozen beaver-rats of a different kind to those we had found 
before. 

Fritz also brought with him an armful of large thistles, to which no one paid 
any attention for the moment, because of the enthusiasm excited by the contents of 
the sacks. 

“ Oh, father ! ” cried J ames, what a splendid steed my ostrich makes ! She 
runs with the swiftness of the wind. A score times I lost breath and was near 
upon falling off, being overcome by giddiness. She goes with what I may call a 
blinding rapidity. You must at once make me a mask with glass eyes for our next 
expedition.” 

“ Impetuous boy ! ” I replied. “ That is not the way to talk. There is no 
‘ must ’ in the matter.” 

“ Why, dear father ? ” he asked. 

“ In the first place,” I said, “ because it does not become a child to impose his 
desires upon his parents in this manner ; in the second place, because I have to do 
many things, in the general interest, far more important than the making of a mask 
with glass eyes for a young gentleman who is very well able to try to make one 
himself, if it were only to surpass his brothers in ingenuity.” 

James became silent, and left his eldest brother to take up the narrative. 

*‘We have diverted ourselves,” said Fritz, “to admiration to-day. We have 
had splendid sport, and have brought home an enormous booty. Nevertheless, we 
will willingly exchange all our treasures for a small glass of wine, if the price of it is 
not too hig’h for us.” 

“Well proposed, Eritz,” cried I. “I shall willingly give each of you a glass of 
wine because you have so well deserved it. Eut another time do not set out upon 
such an excursion as you did this morning, without first obtaining the consent of your 
mother and me. And now, boys, go and unsaddle ^mur animals and take them to 


276 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


stable. A good horseman never attends to himself till he has properly cared for his 
beast.” 

When the family were assembled at supper, our good housewife served out to each 
in turn his share of a delicious joint, saying, with comic gravity, “ This, gentlemen, 
is a European siicking-pig, under the guise of an American marcassin.* Here also,” 
she continued, “ is a young and savoury European salad, grown and gathered in my 
garden, which is, as you know, at the antipodes of Europe. It has, in consequence, 
its roots where European gardens have their leaves. And here, to finish with,” she 
cried, uncovering a large gourd-basin, “is an excellent Hottentot jelly, drawn from 
the garden of the sea.” 

The good-humour of our housekeeper secured her the praise she so well merited. 
She was applauded a second time when she brought in a dish of cassava fritters and 
a bottle of hydromel for dessert. 

Never was there a better supper, or a merrier company to enjoy it. 

Fritz told us the story of the day’s expedition : how he and his brothers had 
remained all day in the neighbourhood of Forest Grange, laying their traps ; how 
they had taken the ondatras with yellow carrots, and the beaver-rats with small 
fish ; how with the same kind of bait they had taken the duck-bills ; and how 
his brothers and he had dined ofi* fresh fish roasted with ginseng and anise 
roots. 

“And my jackal!” cried James. “You have not spoken of him — how he 
turned up the two hares under my very nose, and helped Francis to catch the 
kangaroo, who for the first and last time in his life made acquaintance with gun- 
powder.” 

“ While wandering about in search of adventure, ” said Fritz, “I found these 
large thistles, at the end of which there are strong thorny hooks, that I fancied 
might be useful for carding the felt. I also found among the thickets these small 
cinnamon-trees. And with my gun I gave a sharp lesson, which he has no doubt 
forgotten now, to a huge ape that took a good deal of trouble to throw cocoa-nuts 
upon my head.” 

The spoils of Fritz were not to be disdained, and his mother thanked him 
warmly for them. 

As to the skinning of the game, I pretended that I would take charge of this 
labour myself. To that end I fetched a large syringe out of the surgeon’s instrument 
case, and in the piston of it made an opening in which I fixed a couple of plugs. 
I thus obtained an air-pump, which, although not perfect, would serve my purpose. 
When I drew out the piston, the air passed between the two plugs into the cylinder ; 
and when I pushed the piston in again, the lower plug opened into the nozzle of 
the syringe, and allowed the compressed air to pass out with tremendous force. 

* In France, and even in some parts of England, sucking-pigs are also called marcassins. 


SKimma the Animals. 


277 



"Wlien the boys — who had awaited patiently, but not in the best of humours, 
the completion of my preparations for skinning the animals — saw me marching off 
with my surgical weapon under my arm, like a field-marshal with his baton, they 
burst into loud laughter, and asked me what I intended to do with an instrument 
which seemed to be altogether out of place at such a time. 

The only reply I gave them was to lay hold of the kangaroo, hang it up by the 
hind-legs, and make an incision in its skin, into which I passed the nose of the 
syringe, and proceeded to pump air with all my might. 

Gradually the animal was blown out of all proportions, and became twice its 


TREADING OUT THE CORN.— p. 280. 

natural size. Still I continued to pump until I saw that, excepting in two or three 
places of no importance, the skin was everywhere separated from the flesh. 

I then handed the kangaroo over to the astonished boys, to finish the work so 
near completion. 

“Wonderful !” cried James. 

“Father must be a conjuror!’' added Francis. 

“ Father an odd-looking magic staff for a conjuror,” muttered Ernest under 
his breath. 

“But how does the air remove the skin asked James. 

“ Very simply,” said I; “and there is not a savage tribe which is not well 
acquainted with this method of inflation, though I suppose they know nothing about 


278 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


the cellular tissue. Between the skin and the flesh there are thousands of little 
vesicles which contain a fatty substance. If these are filled with air they dilate 
and burst, and the skin, deprived of its adherent qualities, detaches itself naturally. 
Thus the grand secret is explained.” 

I again set to work with my syringe, and my task progressed rapidly ; but as 
we had a large number of animals to skin, I determined to set apart a whole day for 
the purpose. 

The next day, early in the morning, we started off to cut down the tree which I 
had marked out for destruction near Falcon-nest. We took with us our truck, a good 
supply of ropes, and the necessary tools. 

On the way thither I showed the boys the devastation committed by the pigs, 
and the place where they had received their punishment. 

Arrived at the tree, I told James to climb up and cut off the branches, which 
in their fall rested upon neighbouring boughs. He also, by my instruction, fastened 
some ropes to the upper part of the trunk, which ropes were carried out to a distance 
that left us nothing to fear if the tree should happen to fall in a direction contrary 
to the which we intended. 

These preparations made, we took a strong saw and cut two large notches in 
the lower end of the trunk, one on each side, and one a little higher up than the 
other. Then we all pulled vigorously at the rope. The tree cracked, tottered, and 
fell, without misadventure of any sort. Once upon the ground, the trunk and the 
23rincipal branches were sawn into lengths of about four feet. The remainder, 
destined to become firewood, was left where it was to dry. 

When one is not a woodman by trade, one advances very slowly with this kind 
of 'labour. What I have just recounted took us nearly two days to accomplish. 
But I achieved what I desired. I found myself in 2 )ossession of exactly the kind 
of timber which I required to construct my j)Ounding-mill according to the best 
models. 

The mill finished, we tested its powers with some rice, which at the end of a 
day was completely braised, and, to the general satisfaction, fit for use without 
further preparation. The operation w^as a little more lengthy than would have been 
the case with a grinding mill ; but it had succeeded, and that was the essential thing 
to be considered. 

While surveying the working of the mill, I remarked that our domestic jDoultry, 
on their return from a neighbouring field to which they had made their way with 
unusual haste, had very full crops, and aj)peared to be altogether in a state of high 
satisfaction. At first I wondered who could have been thoughtless enough to give 
the fowls so much of the grain, which it was our duty to economise till we were 
able to grow more. But soon the secret was revealed. On going in the direction 
whence the fowls had come, I found that the acre of land we had sown only 
four or five months since was covered with an abundant growth of ripe corn. I 


The Harvest, 


279 


concluded therefrom that for the future we should be able to reckon upon two 
harvests a-year. 

This was certainly a satisfactory discovery. Nevertheless, it caused us some 
embarrassment, because the unexpected labour it involved coincided with the annual 
visit of the herrings and the dog-fish. Our good housewife was even more troubled 
than I was. She saw not how it was possible that we could attend to our fisheries 
and our harvest, or salt down herrings and gather in corn, at one and the same time. 
Notwithstanding, she never for an instant failed in gratitude to the Divine Giver 
of all our wealth. 

“ Truly,” she said, “ God is good above all that we can ask or think ! "We have 
never been so rich in all our lives before.” 

“I am not so sure about that,” I sakb laughingly. “We have not a penny in 
hard cash to bless ourselves with.” 

“Well,” said James, “what do we want with money here? I never think of 
it now. Do you not remember, father, how, when you used to give us halfpence 
for pocket-money once a- week, we jumped for joy every time we received them 1 
Why, we should not care now for a bushel of sovereigns.” 

So abundant were our riches that my wife lost her head in the mere contempla- 
tion of them ; speaking of fishing for rice and harvesting dog-fish, of salting down 
potatoes and reaping herrings. 

I begged her not to harass herself, but to rest assured that the good God who 
had given us all this profusion would not neglect to provide us with the means of 
appropriating it to our needs. 

I determined — rather in opposition to her wishes, I think — to begin upon the 
grain, and cut it in the Italian method, which, although not nearly so economical as 
other methods, is far more expeditious ; and expedition in our case was true 
economy. I proposed, after that, to leave the potatoes and tapioca, which I judged 
would not hurt for a fe'W days in the ground, while we proceeded with our herring- 
fisheries. 

Without delay, therefore — in order that we might commence our harvest on 
the following morning — I cleared a piece of ground in a sheltered sjDot near the 
field, where' we could place the grain to be trodden out by our oxen. We adopted 
this old-fashioned plan of threshing, as being the one involving least labour ; but 
we were prepared, after the oxen had done their best, to complete the work our- 
selves with such extemporised fiails as we could command. 

The next morning, armed with our sickles, we set out for the field which we 
were about to reap, and at once began work. Our plan — the Italian one — was to 
lay hold of as many ears as we could with the left hand, and cut them off with the 
right, taking away as little straw as possible, and throwing the decapitated ears into 
a basket. The method was a new one, and, like everything that was new to them, 
pleased the youngsters immensely — so much so that when evening came the whole 


280 


The Swiss Family Eobinsoe. 


field was reaped, and the basket, filled, emptied, and refilled all day long, was pro- 
nounced to have done its work well. 

“ Fine economy, in truth ! ” exclaimed my wife with some asperity as she 
saw us begin our work. “All the short ears and all the straw remain in the 
stubble ! ” 

“ My dear wife,” I replied, “ you are mistaken in your ideas of economy. The 
Italian is not so foolish as you suppose him to be. That which you fancy he wastes 
is not lost : in place of eating, he drinks it.” 

“ I never heard a better than that ! ” returned my wife. “ How can one 
‘drink’ ears of grain and straw? Heavy work for the throat, I should 
think ! ” 

“ The Italian,” I replied, “ drinks it afte^* a manner. His soil being better 
fitted for husbandry than for the support of cattle, there is a dearth of pasturage 
there. This leads him to cut his corn as we have done. At the end of a few days 
— a week or two, perhaps — the herbage begins to grow up among the stubble until 
together they form a thick mass. Then the Italian mows it close to the earth, and 
uses it for forage in the winter time. What the straw wants in succulence is 
furnished by the herbage and the short ears of corn, which thus contribute largely 
to the abundant yield of milk for which the cows of Italy are famous. This is the 
whole mystery.” 

My wife allowed herself to be persuaded of the excellence of this method of 
reaping, although in her heart she protested, in honour of just principles, against the 
anti-economic expedient. 

It was now necessary to proceed to the threshing of our corn. 

This was a rare occupation for the boys, who, astride of their favourite animals, 
trod out the corn wonderfully. 

My wife remarked that this celebrated Italian method not only wasted a third 
of the standing corn, but allowed the animals to appropriate to themselves a tithe 
of it while engaged in the process of treading it out ; and she desired me to muzzle 
them. 

I reminded her of the Divine command : “ Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when 
he treadeth out the com.” 

This quotation removed her scruples at once. I may add that when we had 
done threshing we had a hundred measures of wheat and maize, and nearly the 
SJime quantity of barley, to stow away in our granary in the grotto. 

In order to obtain a second harvest, it was necessary to begin sowing again at 
once. In this operation we adopted the Swiss method — that, namely, of changing 
the crop periodically. We had just reaped English wheat, maize, and barley; we 
now sowed spelt or German wheat, rye, and oats. 

Before we had finished our task, the shoal of herring arrived, and we were in 
a great strait as to what course to pursue. 


The Herring- Shoals. 


281 



OUT IN THE STORM.— p. 2S6. 


My wife suggested that we should not take more than a couple of barrels of 
them, and we followed her advice. As to the dog-fish, we were able to take as 
many as usual, because we only wanted their skins, and my pneumatic instru- 
ment helped us to these much more quickly than we had been able to get them 
before. 


282 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 

TKIAL OF THE CAJACK. DISAPPEAEANCE OF FKITZ. — THE WALRUS. A STORM. 

ANXIETIES CONCERNING FRITZ. SAVED ! — THE DRAWBRIDGE. THE SALT-LICK. 

A LONGER EXPEDITION. 

The cajack had been ready to put to sea a long time, and Eritz, who had been 
appointed captain of it, was consumed by the desire to approve his title. 

The most important of our labours being now at an end, we resolved to give 
him the opportunity he sought of distinguishing himself. 

On the aj)pointed day we all assembled upon the shore. Eritz desired to be 
solemnly invested with his command before embarking. Each of us, therefore, 
hastened to perform the office of valet, helping to dress and arm him for his 
expedition. Thus clad, our young Greenlander seized his paddle and harpoons, and 
cast a look of sublime defiance towards any invisible monsters of the deep that might 
be disposed to question his sovereignty of the seas. Then, like another Xeptune, 
he installed himself in his vessel. 

Assuming the requisite kneeling posture in the central opening of the cajack, 
he fastened his sea-dog-skin dress arouud the edge of it, so as to exclude the outer 
air, and, with his harpoons placed in their supports to the right and left of him, 
proceeded to inflate himself until he resembled in form a gigantic frog. 

Ernest and James, with a strong rope, drew the vessel down the beach, while 
Erancis pushed it behind; and Eritz set up a song of triumph on thus seeing himself 
' abandoned to the mercy of the waves. 

I was proud to see the ease and grace with which he managed his canoe, and 
partook of the gaiety of the three boys who remained with me. Our laughter 
formed an admirable chorus to Eritz’s improvised song. 

My wife, on the contrary, stood looking on seriously, if not sadly. She thought 
only of the perils which the eldest child of her bosom was about to encounter. 

To reassure her, I was obliged, in spite of my o^vn confidence in the skill of my 
son, to get the pirogue ready for sea, and promise to follow him to render assistance 
should he need it. 

After riding at its ease upon the tranquil waters of our little bay for a few 
moments, the cajack began its trial evolutions. With the assistance of its paddle, 
Eritz first sent it swiftly ahead, cleaving the waters as it went. Then he inclined 
it to the right, then to the left. At last, to show that he could not be submerged, 
he completely capsized it, to the great fright of his mother and the great delight of 
his three brothers. 

Eritz, excited beyond his wont by our plaudits, and not hearing the exclamations 
and appeals of his mother, who every moment expected some catastrophe, directed 


Disappearance of Fritz. 


283 


kis vessel into the current at the mouth of Jackal River, which, before he had time 
to reconnoitre, carried him swiftly out into the open sea. 

This imprudent act alarmed me. I embarked in all haste in the pirogue, and, 
accompanied by James and Ernest, set out in pursuit of the fugitive, praying my 
wife to have no fear, for that 1 should soon overtake Eritz, and would scold him 
roundly for his thoughtlessness. 

By this time he had completely disappeared, and it was only by passing out of 
Deliverance Bay into the open sea that we could hope to discover his whereabouts. 

Our canoe glided swiftly away, under the impulsion of our six oars, skimming 
over the waves like a sea-mew. 

W e were not long in reaching the shallows where the vessel which brought us 
to these parts had been wrecked, and where I supposed the current had carried my 
eldest son. There were sunken rocks there, and others which lifted their heads out 
of the sea, and upon these the waves broke heavily in foam and spray — portending, 
as I thought, rough weather. 

In searching among the shallows for a place where we could rest in security upon 
our oars for a time, we found ourselves in a labyrinth of rocks, which completely 
shut out the horizon on all hands. 

We wandered backwards and forwards in this species of archipelago for some 
time, unable to find a way out, but impatient to do so, in order to get sight of the 
dear but imprudent fugitive. 

Suddenly, at a considerable distance, I saw a thin wreath of smoke curling 
upwards, followed, at the end of a second or two, by a feeble noise which I 
recognised as the far-off report of a gun. 

“There is Fritz !” I cried, with a joyousness which it is impossible to set down 
in words. 

“ Where ^ where?” asked Ernest and James, looking impatiently in every 
direction. 

At the same moment I heard another report like the first. 

I fired one of my pistols, and it was replied to by a third report. 

I assured my boys that Fritz was not more than a quarter of a league from us, 
and bade them lay on to their oars with a will. 

A few minutes later we came up with the fugitive. 

After Fritz had shown us a sea-cow, or sea-horse — as it is indifferently the 
custom to term the walrus — which he had just killed, and which lay dead upon a 
neighbouring fragment of rock, I gravely reproached him for the anxiety into which 
he had plunged all of us, and especially his mother, by his imprudence. 

He excused himself by throwing all the blame upon the current, which he said 
had carried him away against his will. He passed by in silence any desire he might 
have had to try his cajack and his harpoons in the open sea. 

I forgave him frankly, being only too happy to bring him safe and sound home 


284 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


to his mother ; and, after removing from the walrus its head and tusks, as hunting 
ornaments for the cajack, we set out to return to port, Fritz leading the way. 

On the voyage, Ernest asked me upon what I had based my calculation when, 
after the third report of Fritz’s pistol, I had affirmed that he could not be more than 
a quarter of a league away. 

“We are taught by the science of physics,” I said, “that light travels at the 
rate of seventy thousand miles a second. Sound, on the contrary, does not travel 

more than three hun- 
dred and fifty yards 
a second. Having 
counted three seconds 
between the time that 
I saw the smoke of 
Fritz’s pistol and tlie 
time that I heard the 
report of it, I con- 
cluded that he must 
be something over a 
thousand yards away, 
and a thousand yards 
is about a quarter of 
TUE WALRUS. a league.” 

“ Has the same 

kind of calculation been applied to the light of the stars?” asked Ernest. 

“ Without dbubt,” I replied. “ It takes eight minutes seven seconds and a 
half for the light of the sun to reach the earth, and there exist fixed stars so far 
distant from us that it takes thousands of years for the light from them to 
reach us. If, for instance, one of them were suddenly to cease shining to-day, we 
should see its light for thousands of years to come.’' 

“What an abyss is science!” said Ernest musingly; “and what a glorious 
thing it would be to know everything ! ” 

“ It is a glorious thing to know what we do,” I replied ; “ and it is still more 
glorious to strive by study to know more. But the secret of all knowledge rests 
with God alone.” 

In conversing in this wise, we had not travelled a third of the distance towards 
land when the storm which I expected, but did not think was so near, suddenly 
burst upon us with indescribable fury. 

Unhappily Fritz was so far in advance of us that, what with the roaring of the 
winds and the waves, and the terrible torrents of rain which poured down from the 
overhanging clouds, we could give" him no signal to come on board our safer craft. 
My heart was torn with an anguish which I will not attempt to describe. But I 



285 




A StOR3L 


had to watch over the fate of others no less dear to me ; and I ordered the boys to 
at once put on their swimming jackets, and attach themselves to the canoe with 
straps, in order that, in case of our being capsized, they might not be carried away 
by the waves. 

I afterwards took the same precautions myself, and we abandoned ourselves to 
the mercy of Heaven. 

The storm increased every minute. The waves rolled up mountains high, 
obscuring even the heavens with their foaming tops, and then fell like menacing 
avalanches, mingling their glistening facets with the sinister glare of the lightning. 

Moment by moment we feared that we should be swallowed up in the huge 
abysses that opened beneath our frail craft. Moment by moment we found our- 
selves mounting with terror the glassy slopes of the enormous valleys that yawned 
before us. 

Happily our canoe sustained bravely the clash of the waves, riding now upon 
their crests, now in their huge crevasses, so lightly and easily that I was even 
tempted to try to direct its course with the rudder. But in this I very 
naturally failed. 

The agonies of our own situation were as nothing compared to those I 
experienced concerning my unhappy son, who was the prime cause of our being 
brought into this danger. 

The tempest was not likely to deal with him less roughly than with us, and, 
in spite of the superior swiftness of. his cajack, I dared not hope that he had reached 
the shore before it came on. 

What had become of my first-bom? Now I imagined him dashed with his 
frail bark upon some rock, and lying there broken and bleeding. Now I fancied 
him buried for ever in the depths of the sea, and become a prey to the very monsters 
against which he had launched his playful defiance. 

My heart suffered an age of anguish ; but my lips were silent. I dared not 
alarm the two dear children of whom I still had charge, and who, perhaps, had fewer 
fears than I had, owing to the holy and ingenuous confidence with which my presence 
inspired them. 

They placed their trust in me : I placed mine in the Divine Buler of the 

seas. 

I was altogether lost in this painful train of thought, when, through the dread 
obscurity that surrounded us, and in spite of the mountainous waves that reared 
themselves on every hand, I perceived that we were near the entrance of Deliverance 
Bay. 

I now took an oar myself, and we all worked with so much energy that in a 
few minutes we found ourselves in the well-known avenue of rocks which, after our 
disastrous wreck upon the shallows we had just visited, led us to our deliverance 
long ago. 


286 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


We were saved ! And I was once more able to pour out my heartfelt thanks 
to God for an almost unhoped-for escape from the perils of the merciless sea. 

How can I express the ecstacy of joy with which I at length beheld upon the 
shore my wife and little Francis, and, above all, my dear boy Fritz, kneeling together 
and fervently praying that we might be restored to them out of the jaws of the great 
deep which seemed ready to swallow us up ! 

I shall not attempt to depict the overflowing joy with which we were received, 
nor that with which we ourselves once more embraced the dear ones whom we had 
hardly hoped to see again. My wife and I were so happy to see the children 
reunited, that we thought not for a moment of reproving Fritz for his disastrous 
imprudence. 

After ofiering together our warmest thanks to our Heavenly Father for this 
new proof of his tender care over us, we partook of a comforting repast, prepared for 
us by our excellent housewife, and then went out to draw the pirogue and the cajack, 
which had served us so well, up the beach. 

This heavy and unexpected rain had so swollen the streams which poured down 
from among the rocks, that in several places, and especially at Falcon-nest, the floods 
were out and did damage which required immediate attention. Jackal River rose 
to so great a height that it almost carried away our bridge, and committed other 
ravages no less serious. 

The reparation of these injuries, and divers other employments, such as salmon 
and sturgeon fishing (for which the season had again come round), occupied us for 
several days, and time flowed by so pleasantly that we well-nigh forgot the terror 
we had undergone during our adventure upon the open sea. 

One night, when the moon was shining clearly, I was awakened by the barking 
of the dogs, responded to by strange growling sounds at a distance. Fancying that 
the jackals had taken it into their heads to make another raid upon us, I got up in 
great haste, armed myself with my gun, and thrust my head through the upper part 
of the door, which we always left open during the summer to allow the fresh air to 
circulate through the house. I looked on this side, on that, and straight before 
me, to find out what was the matter, when I heard the voice of Fritz. 

“ Father,” he asked, “are you up ?” 

“ Yes,” I replied. “ Get up too, and come with me.” 

Fritz was soon by my side, and we set out in the direction whence the sound 
of the tumult proceeded, to discover what occasioned it. 

W e found that our dogs were engaged in repulsing an invasion of pigs. 

As nearly as I could make out, they were some of our own brood which had 
become wild; and I doubted not that they had made their way across Jackal 
Bridge, the planks of which the boys had probably neglected to take up, as it had 
been our invariable custom to do nightly since the visit of the boa. 

We had some difficulty in untying the dogs, and our enemies got the start of 


The Salt-Lick. 


287 


us. In pursuing them, to the other side of the stream, I saw that it was not by the 
negligence of the boys that the marauders had been enabled to cross over, but by 
their own cunning. They had crept along the three beams which formed the main 
support of the bridge, and which therefore could not be removed. 

Seeing this, I determined on the spot to turn our bridge of planks into a draw- 
bridge; and the next morning I and my boys commenced operations with that 
view. 

We obtained two strong posts, which we fixed in the ground on the grotto side 
of the river, strengthening them above and below with stout cross-beams. A 
number of steps were placed across, by which we could easily reach the top. Here 
v/e fixed a pulley, over which we threw a rope, whose far end was fastened to an 
iron ring, fixed securely in the timbers at the other extremity of the bridge. A 
balancing weight or plyer was next extemporised, and, with very little exertion, 
we were able to lift up the whole bridge, and retain it on one side of the water till 
we required to use it again. 

We were thus, henceforth, completely sheltered from attacks like those which 
had put us in a commotion on the night of which I have spoken. 

During the first few days that followed the completion of the bridge, the boys 
did little else but lower and raise it, or climb to the top of its posts, whence they 
could see on the other side of the river herds of antelopes and gazelles, which vanished 
as soon as they perceived that they were watched. 

“What a pity, father,” said Fritz, one day, “that these graceful creatures cannot 
be tamed ! It would be delightful to see them going and coming amongst us 
like our other domestic animals, without being frightened by the noise and bustle of 
our daily labours.” 

“ Yes,” said Ernest, “ we ought fco establish here a buffalo-lick like there is in 
Georgia, the gazelles would then tame themselves.” 

“What is this buffalo-lick of which Ernest speaks ?” asked Fritz. 

“ It is a spot prepared by nature,” I said, “ for the capture of certain animals. 
There is one in New Georgia, between the Savannah Fiver and the Allegahanies. It 
is not more than three acres in extent, and its peculiarity is that the soil is mixed 
with a kind of marl, or saltish earth, which wild and even tame ruminant animals, 
and particularly the buffalo, take great pleasure in licking — so much so that large 
cavities are the result of their visits. Hence places of this kind are called buffalo- 
licks. In certain countries of Europe also, as upon our own native mountains, 
artificial licks have been established, and are called “ salt-licks.” 

“Oh, let us make a salt-lick!” exclaimed the boys, dancing with joy at the 
thought of being able to catch without trouble every variety of deer, antelope, goat, 
gazelle, and buffalo. 

“ Willingly,” I replied, “ if it will please you. With our pipe-clay we ought 
to be able to lay an excellent bait. Let us go, then, and get a fresh supply of this 


288 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


earth, and at the same time we will bring in some large bamboos, which are necessary 
to execute a project which I have in my head.” 

My children consulted each other apart for a few moments. 

“ Father,” said Fritz at length, “ my brothers and I have long had it in our 
minds to make another expedition, if we can get your consent. We wish to visit 
Forest Grange and Prospect Hill, and to push our explorations both to the right 
and left of this route. What do you say ? ” 

All eyes were fixed upon me, and sparkling with desire. 



THE HYENA AND HIS VICTIM. 


“ If you wish it, my dear boys,” I said, “ I ask nothing better. The eye of the 
master has been lacking at our farmery for a long time.” 

“ Let us go ! let us go !” they cried. 

“In that case,” said Fritz, “I will at once prepare some pemmican for the 
journey, if mamma will have the goodness to give me some pieces of bear’s fiesh.” 

“ Pemmican !” said my wife. “ What barbarous dish is that ?” 

“It is,” said Fritz, “a preparation of bear’s and deer’s fiesh, cut into small 
pieces and pounded into a lump, which the fur-dealers of Canada carry with them 
during their long excursions into the interior of their country. There is nothing 
like it for portability and nourishment combined. It is a very substantial food, and 
occupies a very small space. So, dear mother, as we are about to undertake a lengthy 
expedition, please give us some bear s flesh, and I will see to the making of the 
pemmican.” 



A Longer Expedition. 


289 



UKDEB THE VERANDAH.— p. 291. 


Although my wife was less favourable than ever to excursions which removed 
her husband and children from her, she, as usual, allowed herself to be persuaded 
of the necessity of the expedition, and even went so far as to assist Fritz in the 
preparation of the “ barbarous dish.” 

While this was going on the other children busied themselves in preparing 
their arms and outfit, and, from their more than ordinary care and activity in the 
matter, I concluded that they placed a very high value upon the importance of the 
expedition they were about to undertake. 

The old truck, turned into a waggon by the addition of a couple of cannon- 
wheels, was loaded with bags and baskets of all kinds, with the tent, and with the 
cajack. 

Master James, thinking he was not seen by me, added a few pigeons to our 
supply of pemmican, with the object, I suppose, of varying his food a little when he 
grew tired of pounded bear’s flesh. 

I afiected not to be conscious of the innocent trick, and hastened the preparations 
for our departure. 


19 



290 


The Swiss Fabiily Robinson. 




CHAPTER XXXYIIL 

EXPEDITION TO FOREST GRANGE. — THE HYENA. THE CARRIER - PIGEON. FRITZ’s 

LETTER. — THE BLACK SWAN. THE ROYAL HERON. THE TAPIR. THE CRANES. 

THE BIRD OF PARADISE. MORE RAVAGES BY MONKEYS. HOW THEY WERE 

PUNISHED. — SERIOUS DEVASTATION BY HUGE BEASTS. 

On the morning of the day fixed' for the setting out of the expedition, my wife 
declined, much to my surprise, to take part in it, saying that she preferred repose for 
a time. Ernest also, after many warm discussions with his brothers, declared that 
he was equally in need of rest, and should stay at home with his mother. 

Seeing our project thus modified, I determined to let the three boys undertalce 
the expedition alone while I remained at Rock-house, and, with the assistance of 
Ernest, tried my hand at the construction of a sugar-press. 

Our three young hunters made their adieux and set out gaily, with a notable 
provision of good wishes, exhortations, counsels, and advice. 

I will not weary the reader with the details of my attempt at making a sugar- 
press. It differed so little from an ordinary sugar-mill that it is not worth 
describing. I prefer to replace a dry recital of my own with a summary of a far 
more picturesque one, made to me by my three adventurous sons when the expedi- 
tion was over. 

After leaving us they pushed swiftly on to Forest Grange, where they had 
determined to remain during the first and following days. 

On api^roaching the farmery they were not a little surprised to hear a succes- 
sion of short and sharp bursts of what seemed to be human laughter. Their oxen 
and their dogs showed considerable alarm ; while J ames’s ostrich, a creature 
singularly impressionable — I might almost say very nervous by nature — took fright 
and bolted with its young .rider on its back, in the direction of Forest Grange 
River. 

The lugubrious bursts of laughter which had-throwm the whole caravan into 
confusion were repeated, and the oxen, more and more alarmed, made wild attempts 
to turn back again. The dogs were not less terrified. 

Fritz and his brother dismounted to discover the cause of this panic ; and while 
the former tried to calm the terrors of the animals, the latter advanced cautiously 
through the copse to take further observations. He was simply to do this, his 
brother instructing him to return at once in case of encountering any peril. 

Little Francis, although much daunted by the terrible laughter which still broke 
forth from time to time, pushed on with stealthy steps. His gun was held in 
readiness to fire, and in a low voice he encouraged the dogs, who seemed but little 
disposed to follow him. 


The Hyena. 


291 


\ 


In tlie course of a few minutes, on softly pulling aside a bush, he saw, some 
eighty paces ahead of him, a huge hyena in the act of devouring a ram which it had 
just killed. 

On catching sight of the young hunter, the hyena repeated for the fourth or ‘ 
fifth time— without, however, for one instant relinquishing its hold upon its victim 
— the weird bursts of laughter which the boys had previously heard. 

Francis, although he fully comprehended the risk of the act, did not hesitate to 
at once fire at the beast. His ball smashed one of its fore-feet and passed thence 
into its chest, leaving a large gaping wound. 

Fritz, after having succeeded — but not without considerable trouble — in restrain- 
ing the backward course of the oxen, fastened them securely to a couple of trees, and 
hastened to the help of his brother, who, however, had now no need of his 
assistance. 

The two dogs, who from a state of the most incomprehensible timidity had 
passed to a condition of extreme fury, had flung themselves upon the prostrate 
enemy. 

Fritz, therefore, dared not fire for fear of shooting Fawn or Brown, who, 
happily, in a short time made themselves masters of the field of battle. Though the 
hyena was dead, and they had torn from him his prey, they still stood over him 
menacingly, ears erect, teeth displayed, and eyes sparkling with malice. 

A short time afterwards, James rejoined his brothers with his ostrich, which 
had become more docile since the cessation of the horrible laughter that had excited 
it so much. 

The three boys then set out for Forest Grange, carrying their booty with them 
upon the truck. They resolved to skin the beast during their sojourn at the 
farmery. 

We who remained at Bock-house, while sitting under the sheltering foliage of 
the verandah when the labours of the day were ended, found little else to talk about 
beyond the probable course taken by the three adventurous young travellers. 

My wife from time to time gave indications of her motherly apprehension of 
dangers. 

I questioned Ernest about certain mysterious whisperings which I had heard 
among the boys when the caravan set out. 

At first he replied only in words that were somewhat enigmatic, but towards 
the end of our supper, he condescended to observe : “ Pray calm yourself, dear 
mother ; and you also, dear father. I hope to be able to-morrow to give you satis- 
factory tidings of our three travellers.” 

“How sol” I asked. “You do not intend to join them, surely? It will be 
very inconvenient to me if you do, for I want your assistance particularly.” 

“ I shall not leave you, dear father,” he said with a smile ; “ but, nevertheless, 

I promise that to-morrow you shall have news of the wanderers. Who knows ? I 


292 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


shall dream perhaps of what they have been doing to-day, and be able to tell you 
where they are.’* 

“What is that?” I exclaimed, interrupting the young dreamer as something 
flew past me. “ It is a belated pigeon, I suppose, entering the dove-cot. I wonder 
where it has been. It is too dark to see whether it is one of our own brood or a 
stranger which has mistaken its roosting-place.” 

“ Shut down the trap ! shut down the trap ! ” cried Ernest excitedly. “ Who 
knows but it may be a carrier with news from Sydney ? W ere you not speaking 
to-day, father, of the likelihood of our being in the neighbourhood of the colony of 
which that is the capital ? If the pigeon which has just entered should really turn 
out to be a courier thence, we might use it to open up a correspondence with New 
South Wales.” 

“ I could heartily desire that it might be so, my near child,” I replied sadly ; 
“but it would be without the remotest hope that the desire would be realised. But 
it grows late : let us to bed. The first thing to-morrow morning, you can, if you 
so wish it, go and consult your good courier from Sydney, and read to us the news 
which you hope to find under its wing. In the mean time do not dream too wildly 
while you are asleep to-night.” 

The next morning, rising much earlier than was usual with nim, Ernest went 
out to the dove-cot, and afterwards spent some time in the library. 

As his mother and I were sitting down to breakfast, we saw him coming gravely ' 
towards us, bowing as he approached. Then, with an air of mock dignity, ho 
presented as with a .paper, folded and sealed in the form of a government 
despatch. 

“ To you, most noble owners of this domain,” he said, “ the humble Postmaster 
of Bock-house presents his respectful compliments, and begs that you will not too 
severely condemn him for delaying until now to present you with the despatches 
from Forest Grange and Sydney. The post arrived last night, but, owing to circum- 
stances beyond his own control, your devoted servant was not permitted to open the 
bag until this morning.” 

My wife and I greeted this solemn exordium with a hearty burst of laughter ; 
and, scenting beneath it some pleasantry imagined by Ernest to soften down his 
mother’s fears concerning the absence of her three dear boys, I entered willingly 
into the humour of the thing. 

In a precisely similar tone of voice and solemnity of accent, I said : “ Accept, 
Mr. Postmaster, we pray you, our pardon and the assurance of our high esteem both 
for yoTirself and your ofiSce j and let us know, without further delay, what despatches 
you have for us from Sydney, our capital. Nay, inasmuch as we are fatigued with 
the burden of om royal duties, read, we command you, that which our trusty and 
well-beloved Secretary of State has to communicate touching the welfare of our 
subjects in that part of our dominions.’* 


Fritz'S Letter. 


293 


Deliberately unfolding his paper, Ernest again saluted us, and in a clear 
measured voice proceeded to read as follows : — 

“The Governor-General of New South Wales, to His Excellency the 
Governor of Rock-house, Falcon-nest, Undertent, Forest Grange, 
Sugar-cane Grove, &c. &c., Greeting. 



“ Most noble, well-beloved, and trusty Ally, — 

“We learn, with high displeasure, that within the week last past, to wit, 
this morning, three disreputable adventurers 
have set out from your Colony with the object 
and intention of living by brigandage, to the 
no small hurt and detriment of the game, large 
and small, of this Province. 

“We learn also that a ferocious troop of 
hyenas, as destructive to property as they are 
dangerous to human life, have recently made 
an irruption into a certain portion of the terri- 
tory under your Government, to wit, that por- 
tion of it known by the name and style of 
Forest Grange, and have already caused con- 
siderable damage to the flocks and herds depas- 
turing thereabouts. 

“In consequence, we pray you to advise 
yourself speedily of some means whereby these 
disorders may be promptly suppressed, and to 
take measures both for the arrest and return of 
the fugitive brigands, and for maintaining the 
legal rights of man and the domestic animals, as 
against the ravages of wild beasts. 

“Accept, '^most noble, well-beloved, and 
trusty Ally, the assurance of my highest con- 
sideration and esteem. 

“Given at Sydney, New South Wales, this 
12th of the present month, in the year 34 of the 
Colony.' 

“(Signed) Phillip Phillipson, 

“ Governor.” 


His reading ^achieved, Ernest burst into Bii.ns of paradise.— p. 296 . 

loud laughter, and began dancing about so 

wildly, that a small note escaped from his pocket and fell to the ground. I ran 
to pick it up, but Ernest was before me. 


294 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


“ This,” said he, “ is a private letter from Forest Grange. Nevertheless, if you 
desire it, I will give your highnesses the contents of it. It may not be so pompously 
nor so elegantly worded, perhaps, but I fancy it contains more truth than the official 
despatch of the good Sir Phillip Phillipson, who, so far as I can judge, seems to have 
lent too ready an ear to mere exaggerated rumours concerning the condition of this 
colony.” 

“ You are giving us a strange enigma to solve,” I said. “Did Fritz, before he 
set out, hand you a letter for me with, instructions not to deliver it till he was far 
upon his journey ? Because if ” 

“No, dear father,” replied Ernest, who saw that his mother was growing 
anxious. “ The truth is, that this note which I hold in my hand was brought last 
night by the belated pigeon that you saw enter the dove-cot, and I should have read 
it to you last night had I been able to get at it in the dark. These are the contents 
of it, word for word : — 

“ ‘Well-beloved Parents and dear Ernest, — 

“ ‘ An enormous hyena killed two of our lambs and a ram. Francis behaved 
gloriously. He knocked it over with a shot which struck it full in the breast. The 
dogs finished it. We have passed the remainder of the day in skinning it. It is a 
magnificent skin. Our pemmican is wretched stuff. Mother was quite right in 
showing her contempt of my new-fangled cookery. 

“ ‘ Yours afiectionately, 

“ ‘ Forest Grange, the 12th instant.’ ” “ ‘ Fkitz. 

“ A true hunter s letter ! ” I said, laughing. “ And Heaven be praised that 
my little Francis was able to achieve so easy a victory over his terrible enemy ! But 
how, I wonder, could the creature have found an entrance into our farmery ” 

“ I pray they may be prudent ! ” murmured my wife, as she thought of the three 
boys exposed to dangers so serious at a time when they were so far away from us. 

She desired that we should at once set out to join them, and, if necessary, bring 
them home again by main force. But while, on the one hand, we had only very 
scanty news, which might be supplemented by a later despatch sent by the same 
means, there was, on the other hand, every probability that we should miss them on 
the road if we set out to join them. We therefore determined to stay where we 
were, for that day at least. 

Towards sunset, a little later than on the previous evening, a second carrier- 
pigeon entered the dove-cot. 

Ernest at once caught it, and brought us the following note : — 

“ All well during the night! Splendid morning. A cruise on Forest Grange 
Lake in the cajack. Capture of black swan, royal heron, cranes, and black diver- 
ducks. Unknown animal, escaped. To Prospect Hill to-morrow. Adieu to all. 

“Fkitz, James, Francis.” 


The Royal Heron. 


295 


This note re-assured us. It showed, at all events, that no other hyena had put 
in an ai)pearance. As to its enigmatical details, they were explained fully by the 
young adventurers after the expedition. 

They had made up their minds to explore Forest Grange Lake, and especially 
those parts of it which could not be approached from the land because of the depth 
and softness of the mud. To that end Fritz had embarked in his cajack and cruised 
round, while his brothers followed him along the shore behind the reed-beds. 
Wherever Fritz had indicated a spot to which he wished to return, James and 
Francis had set up a tall bamboo-cane to serve as a land-mark. 

In setting out upon his explorations, Fritz had determined, if possible, to take 
some black swans alive. Arming himself, therefore, with a long bamboo, furnished 
at its end with a wire noose, he contrived to approach three young ones of the 
species, which being less wild than the older ones, suffered themselves to be taken 
without much trouble. Brought living to Bock-house, the feathered prisoners, with 
their shining black plumage and brilliant red beaks, became handsome ornaments to 
the glassy waters of Deliverance Bay. 

Scarcely had the black swan been secured, when a royal heron made its way 
out of the reeds. Fritz at once cast a lasso, which caught his prey by the neck. The 
noble bird made a desperate struggle to escape, flapping its wings, kicking with its 
long legs, and endeavouring to break asunder the rope with its beak. So great was 
its strength, that Fritz had to run his cajack aground before he could take it. Once 
unable to draw the boat after it, the bird fell half strangled and became an easy prey 
to the determined young hunter. Tying its wings and legs, and bandaging its eyes, 
he brought it home alive. 

While the three brothers were standing upon the bank of the lake, admiring 
their captures, a large quadruped came out of the marsh, hissing loudly, and so dis- 
concerting them that they did not think to fire at it till it was out of range. By 
the description they gave of it afterwards, I recognised it as the tapir or ant-eater, a 
sort of incomplete elephant, perfectly harmless, which inhabits the banks, of the large 
rivers of South America. Fritz went in pumiit of it while his brothers remained 
behind to take charge of the black swan and the heron. 

As James and Francis were passing by tlie rice-field they saw a large flock of 
cranes flying overhead, and sent a few arrows among them. Four or five fell, and 
among them were two of the species Numidian Demoiselle. 

It Avas a splendid take of game ; and Fritz, who at the moment returned to his 
brothers without having captured his intended prey, manifested some little pique. 
So much was he put out, that on reaching the farmery he put his eagle on his 
shoulder and strayed away into the guava- wood, to take his revenge on the first 
animal that crossed his path. 

He had walked on about a quarter of an hour, when the dogs put up a covey 
of birds resembling the English pheasant. They were soon scattered far and wide 


296 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


among the trees. The eagle, however, on being let loose took one of them, while 
Fritz brought down another with his gun. They were magnificent creatures, with a 
brilliant tuft on the top of the head, and long flowing tails. Fritz’s capture was 
worthy to compare with his brothers’ : he had taken two birds of paradise. 

The dinner hour found all three of the brothers reassembled, and talking of 
their several exploits. They dined with the best possible appetite ofi* a peccary ham, 
potatoes roasted among the embers of a wood fire, the fruit of the guava, and some 



THE DEMOISELLE CEANE.— 295 . 


cinnamon-apples. As to the pemmican, they found it so little to their taste that 
they gave it to the dogs, who enjoyed it immensely. 

The evening was employed in procuring a supply of cotton and rice, which they 
proposed to take with them to Prospect Hill, on their journey thither next day. 
Also, for the execution of a project they had conceived, they collected an abundant 
stock of cocoa-nuts and palm-tree wine, cutting down the trees to get at the fruit, 
after the manner of the Caribbeans. I reproved them for this act of gross wasteful- 
ness when they told me of it, but they excused themselves by saying that for every 
tree cut down they had taken care to plant eight or ten cocoa-nuts. 

I shall here transcribe, as nearly as possible in his own words, the account Frits 
gave us of the journey he made with his brothers to the hut at Prospect Hill, which 
they reached at noon on the day after their exploration of the lake. 

Scarcely had we entered the little pine- wood,” said he, “ when we were 
furiously attacked by a horde of monkeys, who sat among the branches of the trees, 
chattering, grinding their teeth, and literally raining down pine-cones upon us. 


More IIavages by Monkeys, 


297 



THE TAnil OR ANT-EATER.— 295 . 

Although the fruit was, happily, for the most part ripe, the quantity of it became 
very embarrassing, and in order to put an end to the attack, we fired a few shots at 
random. To our great regret, four or five of our aggressors fell dead at our feet. 
Their numerous comrades, justly alarmed at our method of rewarding their ill-timed 
pleasantries, became immediately silent and invisible. 


298 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


“ In passing through Sugar-cane Grove I was astonished to find that the new 
growth, which had reached a height of eight or ten feet, was beaten down and 
broken as if a fierce storm of hail had fallen upon it. 

“ At length we got to Prospect Hill, where, after attending to our beasts and 
unloading our spoils, we made an inspection of the place. You will be sorry to hear 
it, dear father, but not more sorry than I am to have it to tell — the abominable 
monkeys have committed even worse ravages here than they did at Forest Grange : 
everything is laid ‘waste ; we even had to rebuild the little hut before we could 
inhabit it for the night. 

“ Before we set out we had feared something of the kind, and were prepared to 
visit the monkeys with condign punishment. To that end we, in the evening, filled 
a number of gourd-vessels and cocoa-nut shells with fresh goat’s milk, palm-tree 
wine, and pounded millet. Into each of them Ave then poured a few drops of a 
poisonous drug which Ernest had prepared for us, at my request, and which we 
carried in a gourd-bottle. This done, we hung our deadly chalices to the branches 
of the neighbouring trees, and went to bed upon our bags of cotton. 

“ In spite of our fatigue, we found it almost impossible to sleep. , At first we 
were disturbed by the cries of strange animals and the barking of our dogs, and then 
by an invasion of monkeys, who, however, soon found out and lapped up with avidity 
the choice repast we had prepared for them. 

“ At daybreak the next morning, curious to know what had passed during the 
night, we got up and Avent abroad. We Avere astonished to Avitness the effects of 
our essay in toxicology. You may rest quite satisfied : I will undertake to say that 
there is not a living monkey remaining for two leagues round Prospect Hill. Hor 
do I think it likely that a fresh colony Avill establish itself to partake of the feast 
Avith Avhich we are prepared to jirovide them. Seeing the terrible destruction the 
monkeys had Avrought, Ave did not think you would reprove us for our Avholesale 
slaughter, Avhich I assure you left no traces Avhatever upon our own consciences. 

“ It was noAv that Ave sent you our third carrier-pigeon, Avith a despatch penned 
by James in a style pompous and altogether Oriental, giving you an account of our 
grotesque expedition, and at the same time news of our intended return.” 

I here take up the narrative myself 

The letter of Avhich Fritz spoke just above quite reassured us as to the safety of 
our three young hunters. But shortly after dinner on the fourth day, a fourth 
carrier-pigeon arrived, bringing the folloAving letter : — 

The defile is forced. As far as Sugar-cane Grove everything is laid Avaste. 
The new growth of sugar is pulled up, broken doAvn, trampled upon, destroyed. 
Numberless and enormous footprints of huge beasts are seen in the soil. Hasten, 
dear father, to our help. We dare not go forward nor retire; and although quite 
safe at present, Ave know not how to prepare for a danger of Avhich we knoAV not the 
gi-avity nor the quarter from Avhich it may menace us.” 


Construction of a Summer Residence, 


299 


This news was of a totally different character to any that had preceded it, and 
yon may be sure I did not waste time in idle comments upon it. 

Without the least delay, I saddled the onager, and, telling my wife and Ernest 
to follow me next day to the defile, I set out at a gallop. 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 

CONSTRUCTION OF A SUMMER RESIDENCE. THE FRUITS OF THE CACAO AND BANANA 

TREES. THE MYSTERIOUS SACK. THE SULTAN FOWL. THE ELEPHANTS.— THE 

PANTHERS. THE AMPHIBIOUS MONSTER. THE BITER BIT. RESTORATION OF 

FALCON-NEST. FORTIFICATION OF SHARK ISLAND. 

I ACCOMPLISHED in three hours a journey which ordinarily occupied six. My prompt 
arrival, upon which my boys had hardly ventured to count — not knowing whether 
the carrier-pigeon had reached us — was hailed with shouts of joy and warm embraces- 
Without losing a minute, I set out to survey with my own eyes the extent of the 
disaster of which the letter apprised me. It did not take long to convince me, much 
to my chagrin, that my sons had in no wise exaggerated the injury which had been 
done. 

Devastation met my gaze on every hand. The posts which had served to 
close the narrow defile between the rocks, and which we had been at so much 
trouble to place there, lay trampled into the soil, snapped off at the base like so 
many dry reeds. A neighbouring grove of trees, which we had begun to train in 
such a manner that they would, in the course of a few months, form a sort of Kams- 
katka cabin for our summer residence during the heat of the season, were torn down by 
the branches, and completely ruined. In the bamboo plantation all the young plants 
were either trampled down or devoured. But the worst part of the devastation was 
apparent in Sugar-cane Grove. Those of our plants which were not hopelessly 
trodden under foot were either broken to pieces or half- eaten. There was nothing 
even down to the hut we had used for curing flesh, which did not bear marks of the 
prevailing ruin. 

What was the origin of this terrible devastation ? Who were the prime 
movers in it? I had remarked on approaching the mouth of the large river in 
that neighbourhood, , to whiclpi we had given the name of Oriental River, a number 
of heavy footprints, which I fancied were those of the hippopotamus. I had also 
remarked other footprints, smaller in size, which might be taken for those of wolves 
or hyenas. These tracks, however, all tended towards the water, and were not seen 
near the defile. 

We hastily erected the tent, and got together a large quantity 'of wood, with 
which we lighted fires to protect ourselves against the attacks of wild beasts during 


300 


The Swiss Family Uobinson. 


the darkness. As you may conceive, we did not pass a very tranquil night. Fritz 
and I, gun in hand and ears and eyes on the alert, sat up till daylight, awaiting 
whatever danger might present itself. 

The next day, towards noon, Ernest and his mother arrived upon the cow and 
the ass, which were well laden with baggage ; and we prepared for a lengthy sojourn 
in the neighbourhood. I intended, indeed, to repair all the damage that had been 
done, so as once more to leave everything in security. 

When the re-fortification of the defile had been completed — an undertaking 



“ Telling my wife and Ernest to follow me next day to the defile, I set out at a gallop.” — p. 299. 


which occupied us for a week — I set about constructing a summer residence, after 
the Kamskatka fashion. I chose four fine trees whose branches interlaced each other 
at a height of about twenty feet from the ground, and across these branches I 
laid a floor. The foliage formed the side walls and the roof. I devised a ladder 
which, while strong and convenient both for ascent and descent, could be lifted up 
upon the floor whenever we pleased. The aerial cabin finished, it presented a highly 
picturesque appearance, and served at once for a sleeping chamber, an observatory, 
and a fowl-house. We were henceforth in no fear about our Prospect Hill colony of 
poultry. 

This new dwelling was unanimously called The Hermitage. 

The labours I have mentioned were not our sole occupation during this period. 
While I was at work upon the Hermitage, and my wife was employed in her 
domestic duties, which were neither light nor unimportant, the boys made several 
excursions, each time bringing home some novel kind of booty. 


Fruits of the Gacao and Banana Tree. 


301 


For instance, Fritz returned from one of his later journeys, bringing with him 
two kinds of fruit which he had taken for gherkins or young cucumbers, but which 
in reality were the fruits of the cacao and banana trees. We tasted both, and I am 
bound to say that neither of them came up to its reputation in point of delicacy. 
The pips of the cacao, buried like those of the apple in a sort of insipidly-sweet pap, 
were exquisitely bitter. The banana fruit was hardly agreeable : it had a neutral 
kind of flavour on the palate, something like half-rotten pears. 

“ It is very strange,” I said, “ that these fruits, so highly prized elsewhere, 
should seem to us to have a flavour so disagreeable. In the West Indies, the pulp of 



ON THE WATCH.— 300 . 


the cacao, well sprinkled with sugar, is held in the highest esteem ; while its pips, 
which we find so bitter, are dried to form chocolate, pounded with sugar, and pro- 
nounced delicious. In both the Indies the fruit of the banana, whether roasted or 
boiled, is found to be extraordinarily agreeable to the taste. Perhaps it is because it 
is gathered at some particular period — before it is ripe, maybe.” 

“If that is the case,” said my wife, “I will take possession of some of these 
fruits and plant them in my garden. I hope that, by this means, we shall be able to 
find them as delicious as other people.” 

“ Be careful then, my dear,” I said, “ to set the pips of the cacao in well- watered 
soil, and do it the moment you take them out of the pulp in which they are im- 
bedded, otherwise they will not grow. As to the bananas, they are usually repro- 
duced by slips. If you wish it, Fritz shall get you some, and also some more cacao 
fruit.” 


302 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


Accordingly, on the day before that appointed for our return to Rock-house, 
Fritz received a commission from his mother to supply her both with banana slips 
and cacao fruit, and from me to seek, during this the last excursion of the present 
expedition, as many new specimens as he could find both of the animal and the 
vegetable kingdoms. 

He set out on the river in his cajack, towing behind him a kind of Californian 
raft, very light but very strong. It returned in the evening laden almost to sinking 
point. 

James, Ernest, and Francis ran to assist him in unloading the cargo of the little 
flotilla, and dividing the spoils among them, carried them up the bank to the cabin. 
Ernest and Francis had already set out with their loads, when Fritz, saying “ Here 
is something for you,’^ handed over to James a large wet sack, in which singular 
movements and noises manifested themselves. 

James hid himself behind a bush and opened the bag. At sight of its contents 
he uttered an exclamation of surprise, and executed a joy-dance. Then, thanking 
his brother for his present, he carried the sack along the bank of the river, and placed 
it half in the water and half out, in a retired spot where he could find it next 
morning. 

Fritz leapt to land with a great bird, whose legs and wings were tied and its 
eyes bandaged, and presented it to us with an air of supreme satisfaction. It was a 
fine Sultan fowl. 

He then gave us an account of his excursion. The country all along the oppo- 
site bank of the river, he said, was extremely fertile. He had seen dense luxuriant 
forests, which extended from the water’s edge to the foot of the mountains in the 
distance. He had been half stunned by the ceaseless clamour of multitudes of 
magnificently- plumaged birds, such as Guinea-fowls, turkeys, peacocks, and so on; 
and among them, with the assistance of his lasso, had taken the Sultan fowl. 

Still cruising up towards the source of the river, he passed Bufialo Plain, and a 
little further on came upon a large wood of mimosa trees on his right, where a 
number of elephants, in herds of ten or twenty, were tranquilly feeding upon the 
branches, which they broke off with their trunks and crunched up in the mass as a horse 
does hay. Neither the cajack nor its occupant disturbed their serenity in the least. 

Higher up the same bank of the river opened into a little creek or bay, to whose 
margin a number of panthers had come to quench their thirst. Their lithe forms and 
beautiful furs imparted a picturesqueness to the scene, which was as pleasing as it was 
novel to our young adventurer. 

“ I felt for an instant,” he said, “ the strongest desire to try my skill upon one 
of these magnificent animals ; but I knew it would be imprudent to do so, and very 
soon my bellicose ardour melted away like snow before the sun. J was suddenly 
seized with a desire not less ^powerful than before to put about and make a speedy 
return. While occupied with these contending thoughts I saw the water, about 


The Amphibious Monster. 


303 


a couple of gunshots ahead of me, boil up all at once as if some large spring were 
welling forth, and immediately thereafter an enormous reddish-brown head hoisted 
itself out of the water and began to bellow loudly in a manner which somewhat 
resembled the neighing of a horse. I had only time to remark during its bellowing 
that its huge mouth was filled with a double row of terrible teeth, which seemed to 
be driven into its gums like pointed stakes. Three or four strokes with my paddle 
removed me to a safe distance from the animal, and in tliree or four more I lost sight 
of him altogether, hoping with all my heart that he would not attempt to rejoin me 
lower down the stream. 

“ This done, I took possession of my Californian raft, which I had moored in 
a creek while I made this brief inspection of the upper part of the river, and 
returned hi ther in all haste by the shortest way.” 

Such, in brief, was the narrative of our eldest son. It gave us much to reflect 
upon, for it proved that we had in our neighbourhood a number of huge beasts, such 
as elephants, hippopotami, and panthers, which it would be very difficult to keep out 
of our domains if they made up their minds to pay us a visit. Apart from awaken- 
ing these very natural fears, Fritz’s expedition had been a highly satisfactory one, for 
he brought us a large number of new specimens, both animal and vegetable. 

We had none of us been idle during his absence. We had prepared everything 
for our departure on the following day. 

In the morning, therefore, we set out. My wife and I, and the three younger 
boys, with our equipage, took the ordinary route. Fritz, who had previously asked 
my permission, went by water. Embarked in his cajack, his intention was to 
descend the river, double Cape Disappointment, and explore all those parts of the 
coast hitherto unknown to us. 

We made our journey to Rock-house without misadventure. James, mounted 
upon his ostrich, went on before to lower the drawbridge, and took advantage 
of the opportunity thus afforded him to deposit in the soft mud of Goose Marsh the 
mysterious sack which his brother had given him on the preceding evening. 

As soon as we arrived at the grotto, Ernest and I, while waiting for Fritz, 
proceeded to unpack and dispose of our spoils. At first, the number of our feathered 
captives alarmed me not a little, for I foresaw that, with the poultry we already 
possessed, they were likely to do infinite damage among our crops whilst we were 
absent on hunting excursions. To obviate this inconvenience as much as possible, I 
determined to distribute the larger members of our feathered tribe among our marine 
territories. 

The Turkey and Guinea fowls, tlie cranes — whose wings were clipped a little 
to prevent their escape — and a few other birds were carried to Shark and Whale 
Islands. The black swan, the royal heron, and the Numidian demoiselles, whose 
pretty coquetry was very diverting, were placed in Goose Marsh. The old bustards 
were accorded the privilege of remaining near us. They were very grave, and were 


304 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 



generally to be seen standing soberly by, waiting for crumbs, whenever we dined, as 
we often did, in the open air. 

Soon after the arrival of Fritz, who paddled in about two hours before sundown, 
we sat down to a comfortable repast. 

Dinner over, we were seated under the verandah of the grotto, chatting peace- 
fully as our custom was, when we were startled by the roaring of some strange 
animal. The noise at first sounded like distant thunder. It came from the neigh- 
bourhood of Goose Marsh. 

Our dogs, no less alarmed than we, bounded off, barking loudly. 

I leapt up at once, ordering James to get the guns and ammunition, while my 

wife and Ernest and 
little Francis were mak- 
ing their way to seek 
refuge from the unknown 
animal in the grotto. 

Fritz, who in such 
cases was usually the 
first to fly to arms, did 
not move from his seat, 
but sat smiling in a 
manner that almost re- 
assured me. 

^‘Do not alarm your- 
selves, my dears,” I said; 
“ I dare say that which 
we have so readily taken for a wild beast is nothing more than a bittern or 
marsh-pig.” 

“At all events,” said Fritz, “it may only be a small serenade given in our 
honour by James’s giant frog.” 

“Ho, ho!” replied I, laughing; “so it is a trick that young giddy-head is 
playing us, is it ? I can understand now all about the mysterious sack : it was used, 
I presume, to carry this huge frog home. Well, well ! since James has seen fit to 
frighten us, let us see if we cannot frighten him. When he returns, pretend all of 
you to be in the greatest possible state of excitement.” 

The three boys played their parts in this improvised comedy to perfection. 
Ernest and Francis, stopped upon the threshold by my remark, ran hither and 
thither in the utmost confusion, with wild staring eyes ; while Fritz, with his 
hand shading his eyes, seemed to be anxiously peering all round the neighbour- 
hood. , 


TUE cougar.— 2 ?. 306 . 


“What’s the matter?” asked James, returning with the guns, and looking as 
pleased as possible at the state of fright into which he supposed his frog had thrown 



The Biter Bit. 


305 



“An enormous reddish-brown head hoisted itself out of the water.”— p. 303. 


US. “ Whatever is the matter ? ” he repeated, on seeing Fritz look as frightened as 
the rest of us. 

** Do you not see it said Fritz, with a faint and trembling voice. “ Do you 
not see it ? ” 

“ What ?” asked James, growing veiy pale. 


20 





Qn/? 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


“ That huge cougar there, glaring among the trees.” 

cougar ! — no. ¥/hat is a cougar, papa?” asked James, becoming moro 
alarmed still. 

“ It IS,” I said, ‘‘ an American tiger, otherwise known as the puma. Its skin 
is of one colour throughout, whence it is called by the naturalists Felis concolor. It 
is a terribly ferocious animal. Its skin is much valued, and ” 

“ I do not care to know 'any more about it I ” said young giddy-head, and he 
made off at the top of his speed for the grotto. 

As soon as he had taken refuge, we followed him with loud bursts of laughter, 
which were redoubled when we saw him, gun in hand and pale with fear, looking 
out of one of the windows as if he expected to be instantly devoured. He could 
not understand our laughter, till he came down from his watch-tower and all was 
explained to him. 

He promised that we should never catch him in a similar trap again. 

A few days afterwards, when we had recovered a little from the fatigue atten- 
dant on our last expedition, my wife urged me to repair our old dwelling at Falcon- 
nest. 

I consented willingly ; and, after we had laid out a salt-lick near the briage, 
in the manner described some pages back, we all set out for the old aerial dwelling. 

Thenceforward the restoration of what we were now pleased to call Fig-tree 
Castle proceeded with rapidity. The arched roots at the base were planed up and 
polished, and the terrace on the top of them was relaid with loam, anff made 
impervious to the wet with a coating of tar and resin. The house in the branches 
was roofed with bark, carefully closed at the joints, while the flooring around 
it was garnished with a balcony of trellis-work, which gave it a very picturesque 
appearance. In short, our old nest, unsightly and ill-contrived as it was at flrst, 
now became, thanks to our improved skill in carpentry, a very charming-looking 
and very comfortable dwelling. 

This, so to speak, was but a labour of pleasure. Fritz was for aoing some- 
thing more useful. To that end he determined to fortify Shark Island. 

The enterprise was a difficult one, but we achieved it without any great 
expenditure of time or any overwhelming fatigue. I began by constructing a 
winch upon the upper rocks, with the view of placing our four cannon there. This 
done, we set to work to raise the guns. As the height was between fifty and 
sixty feet, and the ordnance was heavy, you may be sure this was no light labour. 
However, we accomplished it without accident. 

Behind the cannon, which were mounted upon their carriages and pointed 
towards the sea, we built a sort of watch-tower with planks and bamboo-canes ; and, 
hard by, raised a mast, with running cordage attached, for the hoisting of signal- 
flags. These were to be white in times of tranquillity, and red when we apprehended, 
danger. 


Condition of the Colony. 


307 


The restoration of Falcon-nest and the fortification of Shark Island took ns 
about two months, and when we had finished we determined to celebrate the event. 

'VYe fired off six rounds of ordnance as a grand salute, and for the first time 
'hoisted the Swiss flag over our dominions. 


CHAPTER XL. 

CONDITION OF THE COLONY AT THE END OF TEN YEARS. EXCURSION BY FRITZ IN THE 

CAJACK. — THE SEA-BIRDS’ NESTS. — PEARL BAY. THE DOG-FISH. — THE ALBATROSS. 

Chapter has , added itself to chapter as year has added itself to year — insensibly and 
uniformly — since I began to narrate the history of my life, or rather that of my 
family, during the decade that we have lived upon this lonely island, far from our 
fellow-men, far from our native country, without any other resource than our 
industry, and without encouragement or consolation other than those derivable from 
our sincere faith in God and our affection for each other, which time has only 
broadened and deepened. 

During these ten years what undertakings, small and great, have we not 
achieved ? What events, trivial and serious, have not occurred in our midst ? Each 
day has brought with it its labours and its anxieties : each day has also brought 
with it its rewards and its pleasures. That which is most wearisome to the body 
is often most sweet to the soul ; and we never dreamt of depreciating those daily 
exercises which gave us sound repose at night. 

Evening by evening, before retiring to rest, we made it our duty to recount the 
events of the past day, and to return devout thanks to Almighty God for his in- 
exhaustible goodness towards us, his humble but grateful creatures. Morning by 
morning, before proceeding to our daily labours, we knelt together, praying him to 
take us into his holy keeping; to bless the works of our hands; to preserve us in 
health and strength, which v/ere our only wealth ; and to continue unto us the power 
and the will to work, which were our only pride. 

And during these ten years — passing so slowly with the idle and the infirm, 
passing so swiftly, on the contrary, with those who, like myself, had a family to 
provide for, to love, and to protect — our little colony went on prospering beyond 
even our most hopeful expectations. Thanks to our unremitting attention and 
incessant toil, our plantations and establishments were all in a thriving condition, 
and our means of living increased indefinitely. 

So excellent a teacher is necessity, that I and my four boys achieved under- 
takings which I firmly believe could not have been accomplished in the same time by 
a hundred experienced European workmen, if they were not driven to it as we had 
been. Each year had brought with it its blessing, had seen our possessions increased, 


308 


The Swiss Family Bobinson, 


and added substantially to our well-being. We lived literally in the midst of our 
own works ; for, after God, we were the creators of our little universe. How great 
is man when he obeys the law of labour I 

Putting aside a few inevitable failures and vexations, putting aside also a few 
passing attacks of sickness, equally inevitable, everything had grown around us — our 
trees, our gardens, our cattle and poultry, our children, and our love. The eaglets 
had become eagles. All four of our boys, as it appeared to me, had grown as hand- 
some as they were good, each following the peculiarities of his own humour and 
temperament. They loved each other tenderly, with an affection at once manly and 
childlike. They worked like strong men and played like boys. Fritz had attained 
his twenty-fourth year, Ernest his twenty-second, James his twentieth, and Francis 
his seventeenth. 

Time had laid his lightest touch upon the features of my beloved wife, who still 
remained, as she always had been, the angel of our solitude. Her pure soul shone 
youthful as ever through the sweet expression of her countenance. The children 
adored her, and loaded her with tendernesses. Each strove to outdo the other in 
anticipating her lightest wish, in sparing her an unnecessary anxiety, in giving her 
an' unexpected pleasure, in doing her will upon the slightest hint. 

“ I never before felt so happy,” she often said to me ; “ indeed, it is more than 
happiness, and if we could only live always for our dear children’s sake — if inevitable 
death never threatened to come in and separate us from them — if, in this dreadful 
solitude, we were not doomed to disappear one after the other, leaving our suiwivors 
overwhelmed with grief and loneliness — I should bless Heaven for bringing us to 
this paradise upon earth. But, alas, alas ! a day must come, my love, when our 
eyes will be closed for ever !” 

At such times as these I comforted her by pointing out that the good God 
who, in his inscrutable providence, had brought us to this island, had watched over 
and provided for us hitherto, and by assuring her that he would not now abandon 
us if we trusted in him. “We must,” I said, “leave our future with confidence 
in his fatherly hands.” 

“You are right, my husband,” she said, “as you always are. My fears are 
ungrateful. May God, who sees into the depths of the heart, pardon my murmurings, 
and reward your courage and faith !” 

As to myself, my hair was silvering fast, but I was still strong and hearty. Age 
had weakened none of my faculties, and my faith in God grew stronger daily. I 
felt myself to be near him and in his holy keeping. 

Our animals, who were our companions and friends, had prospered as we 
had. Grumbler had achieved his full growth. The cow had presented us with 
a calf yearly, and of her numerous progeny we had spared two, one of which had 
become a fine milch cow, and the other a powerful bull. We called the first Swan, 
because of the whiteness of her coat ; and the second Boarer, because of his terrible 


JExcubsion by Fritz in the Oajack. 


309 


voice. We had also added to our stock two young asses — a male and a female — one^ 
of which we christened Arrow, and the other Sprightly. Lastly, we had saved out 
of the far too numerous offspring of the agile jackal a specimen which promised to 
become an excellent hunter, and to which James had given the grotesque name of 
Cocoa. 

I have not spoken here, be it understood, of our flocks and herds, which, of 
course, had multiplied exceedingly; nor of our poultry, which had abundantly 
supplied our table. There never was a richer farmer than I was, and nothing 
would have been wanting to complete our felicity if, as my wife said when more 



COASTING IN THE CAJACK.— p. 310 . 


depressed than usual, we could have seen ,our boys growing up in the midst of a 
populated country, instead of living so far removed from their kind. 

One day, when Fritz, unknown to us, had set out early in the morning in 
his cajack, we went in the afternoon to the fortifications on Shark Island, to 
endeavour to get a sight, if possible, of the adventurer. The white flag floated 
from the top of the mast ; the cannon lay loaded and ready to speak, at the word 
of command, with their formidable throats. 

We waited some time without being able to see anything of our runaway. At 
last, by the aid of the telescope, I perceived a black speck on the water. It speedily 
assumed larger dimensions, and at last a definite shape. It was Fritz. His paddle 
dipped regularly in the tranquil mirror of the sea, but, as far as I could judge, 
much more slowly than usual. He was making his course towards Deliverance Bay. 

“ Fire ! " cried Ernest, in his character of captain of artillery. 


310 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


James brought his match to the touch-hole, and at the same time as he heard 
the noise of the cannon our sailor was greeted with loud hurrahs. 

We then descended in all haste to receive Fritz as he landed near Kock-house. 

I was now able to account for the unaccustomed slowness of his progress. 

At the prow of the canoe — that is to say, at the point where we had fixed the 
head of the walrus — was suspended a large bundle of what appeared to be stout 
thorny feathers. It was, in point of fact, a new supply of the gelatinous sea-Aveed of 
which my wife made jelly. At the poop hung a large sack well filled, half in the 
water and half out. At one side of the cajack floated an important capture, the 
nature of which we could not quite make out. 

You seem to be well attended, Fritz,” said I. ‘^Yfhence do you come thus 
laden ? Have you been in any danger ? ” 

“ jSTone, thank Heaven,” replied Fritz. On the contrary, the A^oyage has 
been the luckiest I ever made, as you shall hear presently.” 

The cajack having been drawn up on the beach and unloaded, we surrounded Fritz 
to hear the story of the voyage, which, on his part, he was only too ready to recount. 

“ First of all, dear father,” he said, “ I have to beg your forgiveness for setting 
out this morning without obtaining your leave to do so. Having a craft so light and 
so altogether suitable, I could not resist a desire that sometimes comes over me to 
make a voyage in it. I have for a long time Avished to become better. acquainted Avith 
the coast west of Deliverance Bay, and also to explore the part where I killed the 
walrus. If you had forbidden me I should not have disobeyed you, and it v/as 
because I feared you might have forbidden me, on account of the supposed danger of 
the cruise, that I set out without your knoAvledge. To proAude against unforeseen 
exigencies, which might have prolonged my journey, I took with me, besides pro- 
visions, a boathook, a harpoon, some fishing-lines, my axe. my gun, my pistol, a 
compass, and my eagle. 

“ The weather was everything I could have desired. The sea Avas calm and 
the sky cloudless. I took advantage of a feAV minutes when you v/ere engaged in 
the grotto, to jump into my cajack and pull into the river current, Avhich in a very 
short time carried me out of your sight. On reaching the spot Avhere ten years ago 
our vessel was wrecked, I found the Avater so clear that I could see on the smooth 
sandy bottom several cannon, a quantity of shot, a number of bars of iron, and 
other objects, which we shall do Avell to get up when you haA'e made the diving-bell 
you were talking about the other day. ^ 

‘'Thence I directed my course to the west, towards the coast, doubling a 
promontory formed partly of rocks piled one on the other, and partly of sunken 
rocks scattered about in the sea beloAv them. Here I found innumerable flocks of 
sea-birds, and a little further on a number of marine animals, such as bears, 
Avalruses, seals, &c. 

“ As I did not feel quite at my ease in the neighbourhood of these monsters, I 


Fearl Bay. 


311 


made the best of my way ama jg the various channels that ran between the rocks, and 
in the course of an hour foun.d myself in front of a kind of triumphal arch, built by 
nature of huge rocks flung at hazard one upon the other. Beneath this massive 
arcade, which looked strong enough to bid eternal defiance alike to winds and seas, 
a vast population of sea-birds had made their nests. They flew screaming around 
me by hundreds, perhaps to stun or perhaps to frighten me, without thinking for a 
moment that my curiosity was stronger than their rage, and that, for all their 
uproar, I could examine them at my leisure. They were about the size of wrens, 
with under plumage of a dazzling whiteness, and feathers of a deep black on their 
backs. Their wings were grey as ashes. As to their nests, there were thousands of 
them, skilfully built, and adhering to the juttings of the rocks. Each of them 
rested upon a little support resembling a spoon without a handle. I carefully 
removed several, and have brought them with me, in order that you may taste 
them, if your stomach will allow you to do so. I read that they make excellent 
food, in virtue of the gelatinous substance of which they are formed. I suppose 
they are the famous salangave nests of which the Chinese are so fond. 

“ I continued my voyage, and, when I had passed the rocky vault, found myself 
in a magnificent bay, from the shore of which a splendid savannah stretched away 
till it was lost to view on the horizon. Here and there clumps of verdant foliage 
sprang from the clefts of the rocks, while into the centre of the bay poured a 
large river whose banks were lined with magnificent cedar-trees. 

“In cruising round the coast of this bay I perceived in the depths of the 
water, which was transparent as crystal, millions of shell-fish that seemed to be 
tied together and fastened to their shells by numberless filaments, which looked 
like tufts of hair. Thinking that these fish would probably be more agreeable 
to the taste than the oysters which we take in Deliverance Bay, I detached some 
w’ith my boathook and fished them up with my lines. I threw upon the beach those 
which I intended to eat, and put the rest into a sack, which I tied to the stern of 
my canoe, in order to bring a few home to you. Then I landed to take a rest. On 
opening ihy oysters, which appeared to be very tough, I found in them several little 
round bodies of the size of peas, very brilliant, and resembling pearls. I leave you. 
to judge whether I am right in my conjecture. • There they are — examine them,”' 

At these words Ernest, James, and Francis hastened to look at the shells which 
Fritz handed to me. Our brave adventurer was right : the small round bodies of 
•which he had spoken were indeed pearls of a dazzling whiteness, and of rare purity 
and fineness. Many of them were also unusually large. 

“ You have found a real treasure, my dear Fritz,” I replied. “l//hole nations 
would envy you your discovery, for it is a mine worth millions, is a pearl-bank such 
as you describe. Unhappily, it is impossible for us to profit by it, or even to make 
a market out of the sea-swallows’ nests, for sea-swallows they are. We have no rela- 
tions with the rest of the world, and for our own use these inestimable treasures are 


312 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


not ■wortli nearly so mucli as a bag of nails or a measure of wheat. Nevertheless, as 
it would be ungrateful to neglect the gifts which Providence throws in our way, and 
as we may be permitted some day to join our friends in Europe, we will make an 
early expedition to this opulent bay. For who knows but the seemingly useless 
labours of the present time may in the future contribute to the well-being of all of 
us ? Now, my dear son, continue your narrative.’’ 

Fritz proceeded — 

After a short repast,” he said, “ to recruit my failing strength, I continued 
my journey round this smiling coast. I found it indented along its whole course 
with verdant bays, which seemed to invite me every moment to pause and make 
another landing. At length I arrived at the mouth of the river of which I told you 
Its shallows were covered with aquatic plants whose leaves were so broad that, as 
they floated out unon the water, huge long-legged birds ran over them with as 

much safety as if they had been upon dry 
land. I thought for an instant that I 
had been transported in a dream to the 
great river St. John, in Florida, of which 
I lately read a description in one of the 
books in our library. 

“ After replenishing my stock of fresh 
water, I set out again, and soon reached 
the promontory which shuts in Pearl Bay. 
It faces Sea-gull Arch, and is distant from 
it about a league. There is a long ridge 
of sunken rocks, which completely separates 
the bay from the open sea, except in one part, where there is a deep clear channel, 
somewhat narrow but very convenient. It would be impossible to find a situation 
more advantageous for a seaport. 

“ As I was making my way through this sea-pass, an unexpected current brought 
me to a sudden standstill, and I was obliged to coast along the promontory to find an 
opening similar to that by which I had entered on the other side. But I did not 
succeed. On my way I saw an immense number of marine animals of the size and 
shape of dog-fish, playing upon the rocks and in the water, and leaping from the one 
to the other in turns. I was too far off to draw upon them, but I nevertheless had 
a strong desire to make their acquaintance. I therefore rowed a little nearer, and 
put up my eagle, which swiftly pounced down in the midst of the thoughtless shoaL 
Quitting my canoe, I leapt from rock to rock, and arrived just in time to seize the 
prey, which the eagle was already rending. The entire shoal had disappeared as if 
by enchantment.” 

‘‘ But,” I asked, “ how did you manage to bring your booty home ? It must be 
very heavy.” 



THE FKIGATE BIKD.— p. 314. 


The Dog-Fish, 


313 



“ I found myself in front of a kind of triumphal arch, huilt by natxire of huge rocks.”— p. 311. 


That consideration gave me some trouble,” replied Fritz. ‘‘ I did not like to 
leave my dog-fish behind at any cost ; and yet I knew that, unless I could hit upon 
some means of lightening its weight a good deal, it would be impossible to bring it 
with me. While casting about for a plan, I was struck by the enormous quantity 
of sea-birds that were circling and screaming around me. There v^ere sea-swallows, 





314 


The Swiss- Family Robinson. 


mews, gulls, petrels, albatrosses, and several other kinds unknown to me. Their 
noise became so insupportable that, to rid myself of them, I hit out wildly with my 
boathook. One fell at my feet stunned, and lay there with wide-extended wings. 
It was a kind of albatross, which I believe is called by sailors the frigate bird. 

“ Kemembering then a device in use among the Greenlanders, I jDulled out one 
of the bird’s largest feathers, and used it as a pipe to inflate my dog-fish. In this 
state I tied the creature to the side of my cajack, and it rode buoyantly upon the 
sea. But it was time now to think of returning, and I stopped no more. 

‘‘ I found my way out of the labyrinth of rocks in safety, and laying on upon 
my paddle soon found myself in known waters. 

“There I saw our white flag floating in the breeze afar off, and heard the 
welcome report of our artillery.” 


CHAPTER XLI. 

A CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATION WITH FRITZ. — THE ENGLISH GIRL ON THE BURNING ROCK. 
A PEARL-FISHING EXPEDITION. CAPE FLAT-NOSE. PEARL- FISHING. THE RETURN. 

So far Eritz had ended his narrative. But while his mother and brothers were 
examining with much curiosity the spoils he had brought home, he took me 
mysteriously on one side and led me to a distant bank, upon which we sat down. 
He there completed his account as follows : — 

“ I have not told you all, dear father,” he said. “ The strangest part of the 
stoiy remains at present for your ear alone. As I was searching over the albatross 
which I knocked down, to select a feather suitable for my purpose, I found a piece of 
linen rag tied to one of its legs. I at once detached it, and saw written upon it in 
English, in a kind of red ink, these strange words : — 

Whoever you may he to whom God hears this message from an unfortunate 
girl, seek out a volcanic island, which you will recognise hy the flame that rises from 
one of its craters. Save the unho,ppy lost one of the Burning Bock I ’ 

“ Amazed, I read and re-read the message a half-score times, to assure myself 
that I was not dreaming. ‘ What ! ’ I cried, ‘ is it possible — a human, being living 
in these uninhabited parts ? How came she here ? Without doubt like we did, by 
shipwreck. Oh, that I may be able to find her in time to save her life ! ’ 

“Thereupon I endeavoured to revive the poor bird, which happily was only 
stunned. I poured a few drops of hydromel into its beak, and it seemed to be 
recovering. ' Then, with a feather dipped in the bleeding wound of the dog-fish, 
I wrote in English upon a piece of my handkerchief — 

“ ‘ Have faith in God. In all prohcibility succour is near.' 

“ I tied the two pieces of rag to the leg of the albatross, now completely recovered 


The English Girl on the Burning Bock. 


315 


from its swoon, and allowed it to try its wings. It at once flew ofl* to the westward 
with a swiftness that vexed me not a little, for I had hoped that it would go at a 
slower pace, and thus enable me to follow it, and discover the Burning Bock. 

“ This is what I wanted to tell you 'alone, father. And now, think you that my 
message of comfort has reached the poor unfortunate who yearns for it ? Where is 
she ? How can I And her ? ” 

“ My dear son,” I replied. “ I rejoice extremely in the prudence with which 
you have conducted this matter, and I congratulate you upon it. You did well 
to reserve your account of it for my ear alone, because in divulging it to your 
mother and brothers you would have caused them an amount of anxiety which it 
was your duty, as a son and a brother, to spare them. It may unhappily be the 
case that the message you found tied to the leg of the albatross is an old one 
wi'itten many months since. It may also be that the unfortunate whom you desire 
to save is separated from us by a wide tract of ocean ; for the albatross is a powerful 
bird upon the wing, and traverses inconceivable distances in a few days. The 
country whence it came, and to which it has probably returned, may therefore be 
leagues away from our colony. However, we will speak of that later on. For the 
present, let us return to the family, who will wonder what business we have on 
hand to hold us in this mysterious converse.” 

Saying this, I got up. Fritz followed my example, and we walked arm-in-arm 
to meet the other members of our family, who, as I expected, had begun to grow 
curious as to the nature of our conversation. 

“My dear wife,” I said, with much gravity, “and dear children,” I added, 
addressing Ernest, James, and Francis, “your son and your brother, Fritz, whom you 
now see linked arm-in-arm with me, has so long proved, by his courage, his ability, 
and his intelligence, thai; he is worthy of the fullest freedom of action, that I have 
determined to declare him henceforth responsible to no one but himself. He will 
remain, without doubh our son and your brother,, but he is now his own master, 
and for the future he will receive from me not the orders of a superior, but the 
counsels of a father and a friend. The boy has become a man.” 

Each of my auditors, I could see, was deeply impressed by the solemn decree 
of emancipation which I had just pronounced. My wife took Fritz to her bosom, 
weeping over him tears of joy, and bestowing upon him a hearty benediction, which 
came not only from her lips but from her heart. Then she hastily left us, under 
pretext of preparing our supper, but in reality to indulge her tenderness in solitude. 
The three younger boys also embraced Fritz afiectionately, and attempted a few 
lugubrious pleasantries, the better to hide their emotion. 

“ I wish you joy and happiness with all my heart, said Ernest. You have 
just quitted the toga prcetexta for the toga pura et libera'''^ 

* Tho toga 'prcetexta was the dress of a Eoman youth ; the toga pura et libera, that of a Roman man. 


316 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“ Hide me beneath your manly vesture, Fritz, whenever I am about to commit 
a foolish action,” added James. 

Take me with you wherever you go, in order that I may enjoy part of your 
independence,” said he who, during the whole ten years, had been still known as our 
“ little” Francis. Fritz smiled, but made no reply, and we sat down to supper. 

Our conversation during the meal turned naturally upon the pearl-oyster, and 
I was compelled to describe the manner in which the gem forms itself in the shell, 
the method of fishing, the devices of the divers, the dangers to which they are 
subject, and so on. 

These points settled, we decided that, having so inexhaustible a mine of 
wealth in the immediate neighbourhood, it was our duty to possess ourselves of 
some of its riches as soon as possible. We had, however, no implements suitable 
to oyster-fishing, and it became necessary that each of us should set to work to 
make some. I myself forged four iron hooks, two large and two small, which 
were intended to be hung to the bottom of the canoe in such wise that they 
would drag the bottom, and bring our prey to the surface. Francis assisted his 
mother in making some landing-nets, to get them ashore when brought there. 
Ernest employed himself in making, after a design I had given him, a long instrument 
that would serve to detach the nests of the sea-swallows ; while J ames, having the 
same end in view, knotted a rope and fastened a hook to it, with the intention of 
climbing where Ernest would only venture to reach with a pole. 

As to Fritz, he thought of but one thing it was, how to make a second 
opening in the skins which covered the deck of his cajack. His brothers naturally 
supposed that he was desirous of providing a seat for one of them during his coming 
excursions. I alone divined, without however revealing anything, the purpose 
he had in view. He was providing for a new member of our little colony — one 
who had doubtless been shipwrecked on the rocks, and was probably dwelling in a 
solitude worse than our own. 

These preparations made, we got ready to set out on our voyage. Our pro- 
visions were varied and plentiful — fresh pemmican, made on an improved plan 
since Fritz’s failure six or seven years ago, cassava cakes, maize, almonds, and 
a small cask of hydromel. These, with our arms and baggage, were placed on 
board the pirogue, and on an early day, when the weather was favourable, we set 
sail, leaving my wife at hBme under the care of Francis. 

The companions of our voyage were Nip the Second (Nip the First had been 
aead a long time); James’s jackal, rather old for such a journey, but still an 
excellent hunter ; our good dog Fan, also growing old ; and our two vigorous dogs 
Brown and Fawn, who, what with good nourishment and a healthy climate, had 
grown so powerful and courageous, that I could only compare them to the animals 
which, presented by King Porus to Alexander, did battle valiantly with lions and 
elephants. 


317 


A Pearl-Fishing Expedition. 



SKELETONS OF MARINE MONSTERS. 


James had insisted on taking the second seat in the cajack, in order to serve as 
our pilot — assisted by Fritz, be it understood. 

Ernest and I followed them round by the rocks where Fritz had seen the 
walruses and other marine animals, and where the waves now beat in furiously. 
Here and there we saw the skeletons of dead monsters blanched by time, and, by 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


01 Q 

tj±0 


the desire of our younger companions, took some specimens away with us, to be 
deposited in our museum. 

Arrived at length in the tranquil waters of a large bay, we saw playing upon 
its smooth surface, as upon a mirror, a large quantity of the elegant shell-fish known 
as argonauta, or nautili. Our pilots possessed themselves of some fine specimens, 
which were carefully laid away in the pirogue. 

Soon afterwards we reached a promontory which looked as if it had been 
crushed in by a blow, from which circumstance we at once named it Cape Flat- 
nose. When we had doubled it we saw in the distance, through Eock Arch, the 
famous object of our search — Pearl Bay. 

The gigantic vault, under which we passed, merited all the praises which 
Fritz had bestowed on it. Like him, we were assailed on reaching it by myriads 
of sea-swallows, which circled round, and rose and fell on every side of us, like gnats 
on a summer evening. 

As you may imagine, we wasted no time in admiration, but set to work at 
once upon the nests nearest at hand. James’s knotted rope was of the first utility 
to reach the juttings of the rocks ; but as the adventurous spirit of my sons carried 
them beyond the bounds of prudence, I was obliged to order them to desist from 
their harvest. Our booty was placed in the pirogue, and, after partaking of some 
refreshment, we again set out upon our voyage. 

The rising tide helped us, without misadventure, through the dangerous defile 
of sunken rocks of which Fritz had told us, and before long we found ourselves in 
one of the most magnificent bays I had ever seen. It was about six or eight leagues 
in circuit. Several small islands, scattered about its surface, rendered it the more 
picturesque in appearance. It was shut in from the sea by a belt of broken rocks, 
in the centre of which was a defile of some fathoms in width, offering a commodious 
entrance to the largest vessels. The only objection a sailor could have had to it was 
that here and there it was dotted with sandbanks and shallows; but these latter, 
being partly composed of oyster-beds rising to the level of the water, were easily 
seen and consequently not very dangerous. 

It was with a sensation of vivid delight that we found ourselves floating over 
this beauriful sheet of water; and, as we coasted round its shores, the verdant 
prairies beyond it, the shadowy woods, the undulating hills, and the picturesque 
river, gave pleasure to our eyes, and seemed to put hope into our hearts. A creek 
a few paces from the bank of pearl-oysters was chosen for a landing-place. Our dogs, 
to whom we had doled out water sparingly during the passage, waited not for our 
invitation to leap over the side of the pirogue and make for a small clear stream, 
running into the bay, to slake their thirst. 

The monkey also scented the stream, and, being as desirous as his four-footed 
comrades to taste fresh water, made the oddest grimaces as he went and came from 
the poop to the prow, looking imploringly at the sea, at the sky, and at us ; desiring 


JAMES’S Fright. 


' 319 


much to try his hand at swimming to shore, but not daring to make the requisite leap 
into the sea. I at first laughed heartily at his pitiful contortions j but, taking com- 
passion on him, I at length threw a rope to land, with a billet of wood tied to the 
end of it, and thus afibrded poor Nip the Second a means of gratifying his legitimate 
desires. He set out upon the swinging cord, and followed it cautiously to the 
end, being aided therein by a stick which I gave him, and which he carried as 
a tight-rope dancer carries his balance-pole. He reached dry ground at last, but not 
without several slips that caused him to scratch his ear in an agony of anxiety. 

We were not long in following the example of our animals. The day was 
declining, and the first thing to be done on landing was to prepare our supper and 
provide a lodging for the night. We were not long in improvising a repast. It 
consisted of pemmican soup, boiled potatoes, and maize-cakes. 

A great fire was lighted with waifs and strays washed up during the course of 
ages by the sea, and dried in the sun. Our dogs were left on the beach. We our- 
selves slept on board the pirogue, which was anchored in the creek, and upon the 
deck of which we had set up our tent. 


CHAPTER XLir. 

JAIIES’S FRIGHT. THE WILD BOAR. — TRUFFLES. — NANKIN COTTON. THE LIONS. — DEATH 

OF FAN. fritz’s EXPEDITION.— THE SPERMACETI WHALE. 

During the earlier part of the night we were disturbed a good deal by the distant 
howling of jackals, to which, according to its detestable custom, our own insisted on 
replying. 

At daybreak we were all afoot, and, after a good repast, proceeded to the pearl- 
bank, where the supply was so abundant that I determined to stay three days. Our 
plan was to take our oysters and spread them out upon the sand, where the sun 
speedily opened them for us, and leave them to putrify ; after which, as I had read, 
we could take our pearls easily. While thus employed, we lighted upon two kinds 
of soda among the rocks. With one of them I hoped to make a better kind of soap 
than we had hitherto been using, while with the other I thought I should be able to 
purify our sugar. 

' Each evening, about an hour before preparing our supper, it was our custom to 
make a pedestrian excursion into the savannah, whence we brought in specimens of 
rare vegetables or birds. 

On the evening of the third and last day of our fishing expedition, we had the 
curiosity to penetrate a little further into a wood, where we fancied we had heard 
the cries of turkeys and peacocks. 

Ernest and the brave Eav/n went first. Behind them went James and the 


320 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


jackal, strolling idly among the long grass. Fritz and I, who were repairing some 
of our implements upon the beach, had not yet set out. 

Suddenly we heard the report of a gun, followed by a cry of alarm. Then came 
another report. 

Fawn and Brown at once dashed off in the direction of the noise, followed by 
Fritz with his eagle. I also hastened forward, to see what was the matter. 

The cry of distress that we heard at first was soon succeeded by another alto- 
gether different, and, peering through the trees, I saw James limping and moaning^ 
and only able to walk when supported by his brothel’s. 

“ What is the matter ? What has happened, my dear son ? I asked in a 
trembling voice. Are you injured ? Where is the wound ? ” 

“ Here,” sighed James feebly, “ and here. Here also, and there. I am injured 
all over ! ” 

I at once proceeded to examine him carefully. But I found no fracture, no 
wound; nothing but a few slight contusions here and there, that would soon pass 
away. James was astonished, but still continued to sigh and moan as if he were 
terribly injured. 

“ You seem, my dear James,” I said, quite reassured, *rto be very effeminate 
for a hunter.” 

“ Effeminate ! ” he cried, with a sort of comic indignation. “ Effeminate ! 
when I have been knocked down, half killed, trampled under foot, crushed to death 
almost ! When I was within a hair’s-breadth of being ripped open ! Ah, father ! 
if it had not been for our brave dogs and Fritz’s eagle, I should not have been here. 
I should certainly have fallen a prey to the monster.” 

“But,” I said impatiently, “what is this monster that has so excited your 
fears ? You have neglected to tell me that.” 

“ A wild boar, dear father,” said Ernest, “ an enormous wiid boar. He has 
tusks at least six inches in length, and a snout as long as your hand. We surprised 
him as he was grubbing in the soil, and ploughing up great furrows in it. But for 
the two balls which we managed to lodge in his body, James, whom he had knocked 
down, would have been tom to pieces by him.” 

“ Let us thank God,” I replied. “ The peril is now past, and James shall have 
some medicine to cure him of his fear, which, after all, is like any other complaint, I 
suppose, and must be treated accordingly.” 

Saying this, I gave the imprudent hunter a glass of Canary wine, and bathed his 
bruises with a solution of the same liquor. Afterwards I carried him on board the 
pirogue, where he soon fell fast asleep. 

To this accident, which happily was unattended by any serious consequences? 
we owed the discovery of a bed of truffles. The wild boar, which had caused poor 
James so great a fright, was engaged in gmbbing for these delicious tubers when he 
was disturbed. No wonder he took it ill when deprived of so agreeable a repast. 


Truffles. 321 



JAMES’S ANTAGONIST.— 23. 320 . 


The truffle, although of a very secondary value to people who live so plainly 
as we did, is reckoned a great delicacy in Europe, and we thought our good house- 
wife would like to have a few. We therefore procured a supply, and placed them on 
board our vessel. 

My boys asked for some account of this singular product of the earth, and I 
told them that by naturalists it was classed among the fungi family, and that it 
grew without leaves, without stalks, and without roots. 

^‘In order to discover them,” I said, “it is necessary to take with you either 
dogs or pigs. These animals, guided by their keen sense of smell, soon find the 
places where they grow, and will indicate their whereabouts to you by digging into 
the earth, the former with their paws, the latter with their snouts. Large quantities 
of them are found in France, in Italy, and in many other countries. They are very 
choice and very highly esteemed, on account of their rarity, perhaps more than their 
flavour, which, so far as I can see, has nothing extraordinary about it.” 

It was now time to think of repose. We arranged to sleep in our jjirogue, as we 
had hitherto done, and we passed a night as tranquil as if we were at Eock-house. 

The next morning at daybreak I proposed to go after the wounded boar, which 
I judged could not long have survived the two bullets that had been lodged in his 
body. 

My two elder sons accompanied me. James, still suffering from his fright of 
the previous evening, preferred his bed, and we left him fast asleep. 

On reaching the edge of the wood, our dogs and jackal approached us with the 
liveliest demonstrations of satisfaction, and led us direct to the carcase of the boar, 
over which they had kept faithful watch all night. The prodigious size of the animal 
surprised us. 


21 


322 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


“What a splendid opportunity to replace our Westphalian hams !” said Fritz, 
after examining the enormous thighs of the animal. 

“ So far as I am concerned,” said Ernest, “ all I ask is that I may have the 
head to place in our museum. But first of all it will be necessary to devise some 
plan of getting the carcase down upon the beach, where we can cut it up much more 
easily.” 

“ That will be an easy thing to do,” said Fritz, “ if my father will give us his 
permission.” 

“ I have no opposition to offer,” I replied ; “ but I give you fair notice that, 
excepting the head and the hams, the flesh of the animal is very tough. You will, 
therefore, do better to take these parts, and leave the remainder of the enormous 
carcase here.” 

My advice was taken. My boys cut off the hams and head of the boar, and 
we placed them on some branches, which the dogs, being harnessed thereto, dragged 
down to the beach. 

Fritz remarked that upon the branches we had used for this purpose there still 
hung a kind of food, which, having burst, was found to contain a ball of yellowish 
cotton. I recognised in it the cotton of the Nankin tree, which is by nature of the 
Yi'ight colour we all know so well. 

Thereuj)on we returned to the wood, and gathered an abundant supply of the 
new material, which we put carefully on one side, to serve as an unexpected present 
for my wife. 

On reaching the beach again we found J ames awaiting us, perfectly recovered 
from the effects of his tussle with the boar. He at once offered to assist his brothers 
in salting and smoking the hams, and w^as the first to indulge in a few pleasantries 
concerning his fears of the previous evening, which nevertheless were, to some 
extent, justifiable. 

On the evening of this day we lighted our fires upon the beach as usual, and, as 
everything seemed tranquil, were about to retire to rest, when we were startled by 
a succession of loud roarings which, proceeding from the depths of the forest, were 
re-echoed by the distant mountains. 

Our dogs and the jackal set up a fearful howling, as if they were overcome by 
terror. 

A great fear fell upon us, for, for the first time since our sojourn upon the 
island, we felt assured that we heard the voice of some one or other of the largest 
beasts of prey. 

“ What a Satanic concert ! ” cried Fritz, leaping up and taking his gun, with 
determination visible upon every lineament of his countenance. “ You stay in the 
pirogue ; I alone will go and find out what the enemy is like.” 

In an instant the courageous young man leapt into his cajack, and disappeared 
in the darkness. 


The Lions. 


323 


I liad no time to advise him before he was out of sight. So I got all the arms 
ready, and awaited the result. 

The roarings continued, approaching every minute nearer and nearer. The 
boys became a prey to their fears, and nothing that I could say or do tended to 
reassure them. For myself, persuaded of imminent danger, I stood, gun in hand, 
awaiting the gleam through the darkness of the flaming eyes of a leopard or panther. 

In a few moments, by the lurid glare of our fires, we saw a beast of enormous 
size approaching with a lithe and stately tread. 

It was a lion. 

On arriving in front of the pile of glowing timber, he came to a dead stand. The 
flame lighted up his face, in which we read power, fierceness, and hunger. He lashed 
his tawny flanks furiously with his tail, and looked as if he were about to spring 
upon us. This fearful pantomime lasted for some time. We dared not move, and 
I was reflecting whether it would even be wise to fire, when we heard the report 
of a gun. 

It is Fritz !” said Ernest in a voice trembling with fear. 

The lion leapt up, uttering a roar of pain, and fell fainting in a stream of blood 
that poured from its huge breast. 

We are saved!’’ I cried, we are saved! The lion has been pierced to the 
heart ! Fritz is a dead shot indeed ! ” 

I drew up the anchor, and with a few strokes of the oar brought myself near 
enough to the beach to leap ashore. 

I advised Ernest and James to remain where they were. 

The dogs came bounding up to lick my hand, but in a moment began to howl 
again, and directed my attention towards the wood. It was a notification not to be 
disregarded. 

I at once paused, and it was well I did, for at the same instant there emerged 
from the darkness of the forest a huge lioness — the female, no doubt, of the superb 
animal Fritz had just killed. 

The lioness, by her hoarse purrings, seemed to be calling her companion. 
Becoming suspicious that all was not well with him, she began sniffing on all sides, 
and lashing her flanks with her tail as if in the deepest anguish. Presently she 
caught sight of the corpse. She hastened towards it, and tenderly licked the still 
bleeding wound. Then, comprehending that her companion was in truth dead, she 
uttered a terrible roar, ground her teeth fiercely,, and, her eyes flaming with ven- 
geance, peered into the surrounding darkness as if seeking a victim to ofier up as a 
sacrifice to her combined rage and despair. 

At this moment the report of a gun resounded through the air. 

The lioness uttered a cry of pain and drew up one of her enormous paws, which 
had been pierced by the ball. But she was only wounded, and was dangerous still. 
Seeing this, I in my turn drew upon her. The ball crashed into her jaw, which fell 


324 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


useless. Thereupon the dogs flung themselves upon her flanks, and a terrible combat 
ensued. 

A mute spectator of the fight, I dared not move. Another shot might have 
put an end to the sanguinary encounter, but the fear of wounding one of our dogs 
withheld my hand. 

At length, seeing our faithful old dog Fan fall, rent from breast to flank by 
a blow from the lioness’s paw, I no longer hesitated. Hushing forward, without 
thought of danger, I presented myself before the enraged beast. She raised herself 



ENCOUNTER WITH THE LIONESS. 


upon her hind-legs to spring upon me, when I leapt forward and plunged my hunting- 
knife into her heart. 

The noble beast, with a roar, rolled over upon the sand, never to rise 
again. 

Fritz arrived upon the scene of action at once, forestalled only by a few minutes 
in the execution of an intention similar to my own. 

For safety, I discharged a pistol into the head of the lion, and, feeling now quite 
secure, called Ernest and James. 

They were already on the way to render us what assistance they could, for the 
moment they saw us in danger their fears vanished. They rushed into our arms, 
well-nigh overcome by excess of joy at finding us unhurt, after the great peril we 
had encountered. 

The two lions lay extended upon the sand, and although we had nothing more 


>1 




Frontispiece. 

THE FIGHT WITH THE LIONS. 


Cassell’s “S^viss Family Kobinsou.” 


Death of Fan. 


325 


to tear from them, we could not look upon their huge carcases without experiencing 
a sensation of terror., 

The inanimate body of poor Fan lay stretched in death beside that of her huge 
enemy. 

“ Brave animal ! ” said Fritz wiping away a tear that did him honour. “ Thou 
art a cruel sacrifice to thy unselfish devotion ! Once more, my dear Ernest, a sad 
opportunity presents itself of putting to the proof your literary ability. You must 
write an epitaph for our faithful companion.’^ 

“ I will do so,” said Ernest, “ but my heart is too full to write it in rhyme. I 
will give you an epitaph in simple prose.” 

This said, our scholar walked apart, to think over a suitable inscription. 

Fritz and James, meanwhile, dug a grave for the reception of the body. For 
myself, I set to work bathing the wounds of Fawn and Brown, and also those of 
the jackal, who had fought valiantly on the side of the dogs against his natural 
companions, and had received, like his comrades, several wounds from the lioness’s 
talons and teeth. 

When the grave was ready, we tenderly lowered our old friend into it, and 
filled in the earth. A large slab of rock, with a smooth face on one side of it 
was placed over the mound, and Ernest, in a voice broken with emotion, pronounced 
the following epitaph, which served as a funeral oration for our brave and faithful 
friend : — 

SACRED TO THE MEMORY 
OP THE 

GOOD PAH. 

A PATTERN OP WHAT A DOG SHOULD BE— 

A MODEL OP FIDELITY. 

SHE DIED THE DEATH OP THE BRAVE, 

FALLING, A MARTYR TO HER DEVOTION, BENEATH THE PAW OF A 
GIGANTIC LION. 

THIS STONE WAS ERECTED 
BY HER BEREAVED HUMAN FRIENDS, 

WHOM SHE UNSELFISHLY SAVED FROM A FATE SIMILAR 
TO HER OWN. 

Excellent!” said Fritz, pressing Ernest’s hand. “We will engrave this epitaph 
as soon as possible upon the tomb of poor dear Fan.” 

James, inconsolable, said nothing. He wept. “Poor Fan! dear Fan!” he 
exclaimed presently. “ Best of friends ! I can offer you nothing but tears ! ” 

Our eyes were all moist. 

The night air, however, had sharpened our appetites, and we turned away 
from the grave to prepare a repast, of which we stood much in need after our 
unwonted exertions. 

“ Bless me ! ” cried James, drying his eyes, “ I had almost forgotten. We put 
the boar’s head in the fire yonder, and I should think that by this time it must be 
well baked.” 


326 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


My younger sons went to withdraw the joint, which, to their great disap- 
pointment, they found burnt black as a cinder. 

They were about to throw it away. 

“Stop ! stop !” I cried, and plunging my knife into the head, I came upon the* 
meatiest part of it, done to a turn, and exhaling a most appetising odour of truffles. 

I had dressed the head myself. 

During the meal, eulogiums upon Fan formed the staple of our conversation. 

We then retired to rest. 

The first thing in the morning we set to work skinning the lions. Thanks 
to my system of inflation, our task was neither long nor difficult. At the end 
of it we found ourselves' the possessors of two superb hides. 

"VVe had now been absent from Kock-house several days, and I knew that 
my wife would be getting anxious about us. Besides, our pearl-oysters, lying 
scattered upon the beach, were beginning to putrify, and gave forth gases that 
were likely to prove injurious to our health. We determined therefore to return 
to the grotto, and to make the best of our way back again in a week or two, to 
take possession of the pearls whicli by that time, we felt sure, would be detached 
by decomposition from their fleshy beds. 

We set out. Fritz, the sole occupant of his cajack, preceded us. When we 
were fairly outside the belt of rocks he approached the pirogue, and with the 
end of his paddle presented me with a letter, which he said, with a smile, “ the 
postman had forgotten to deliver.” 

In order that I might give his brothers no cause for anxiety, I fell in with 
a pleasantry that had become familiar enough with us since the adventure of 
the carrier-pigeon, and withdrew to the stern of the boat to open the missive. 

I was more troubled than surprised to learn that Fritz was about to quit us, in 
order to go in search of the unfortunate English girl who had written the message 
from the Burning Bock. 

This project seemed to me to be both too adventurous and too romantic ; but I 
felt that it would be in vain to oppose it. My heart fell within me as I saw my 
boy skimming lightly away from us, like a swallow, upon the great waste of waters. 

“Farewell, Fritz!” I cried. “Be prudent, and return as soon as you can, my 
dear son.' Think of us and of your mother.” 

He kissed his hand from afar. 

It was his only answer: 

He disappeared behind the promontory, and, praying for his safe return, I set 
sail for Bock-house, feeling very lonely. 

My wife — from whom, to save her unnecessary inquietude, I concealed the real 
object of Fritz’s adventure — received our spoils with the liveliest satisfaction. The 
discovery of the nankin especially delighted her ; and she saw us all, in imagination, 
habited from head to foot in brilliant yellow. She thanked us warmly, and gave us 


The Spermaceti Whale. 


327 


the strongest proofs of the pleasure she experienced in seeing ns safe home 
again. 

But the absence of her eldest son caused her much anxiety, and all that I could 
say concerning the prudence of Fritz, and his perfect knowledge of navigation, failed 
to calm her fears. 

During three whole days we were engaged in cleaning, classifying, and storing 
away the treasures we had brought home. On the evening of the fourth day, finding 
Fritz still absent, I began to partake in the fears and anxieties of his brothers and 
my wife j and I proposed to set out with the pinnace in search of our dear fugitive. 

My wife, from whom I was wholly unable to conceal my inquietude, approved 
of this project, and proposed to accompany us. 

After laying in an abundant stock of provisions, and assuring ourselves that 
the pinnace, which we had not used for a long time, was in good condition, we 
set sail. 

A fresh land breeze was blowing at the time, and our craft sped out to sea so 
swiftly that i was unable, for the time being, to manage it. On reaching the 
opening of the bay, it came into collision with a huge mass of something floating 
upon the water with so much force that it threw us all upon the deck. My wife 
and children uttered a cry of alarm. At the same moment we saw the floating 
mass send up into the air, with a tremendous hubbub, two great streams of water, 
and then plunge into the boiling and foaming sea. 

We had come into collision with a spermaceti whale. The proximity of such a 
monster was by no means pleasant, and I laid our cannon ready to fire upon it. 

The huge creature reappeared at some distance. 

Ernest at once did his best to take accurate aim, and James fired off one of 
the pieces. 

Our "unner had sighted his mark well. We saw the ball strike the monster 
full in the flank ; and he at once buried himself in the depths, leaving a long trail of 
blood behind him, and making the sea boil again. 

Some few moments afterwards he reappeared upon the surface. A second shot 
struck him in the head. He struggled violently for a time, and then, his strength 
failing him, he made for one of the rocks at the entrance to Deliverance Bay, and 
became stranded. 

I was congratulating my son upon his skill and presence of mind, which had 
delivered us from so formidable an enemy, when all at once J ames cried out — 

» A savage, father ! a savage ! ” 

We all looked in the direction indicated, and saw in tlie distance a strange 
canoe gliding over the waves with incredible swiftness. 

The sava<^e whom we fancied we had sighted seemed to have seen us, and to 
have at once disaj^peared behind a jutting rock. 

Thoroughly alarmed, I ordered James and Ernest to reload our guns, and hold 


32S - 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


themselves in readiness for an attack ; for I doubted not that the man in the 
canoe was the precursor of a band of barbarians. , 

My sons made a good show of bravery, and my wife sought to inspire them 
with a tranquillity which she was far from feeling herself. 

The savage soon showed himself again, and seemed to examine us more atten- 
tively. Then he disappeared behind the promontory again, but only to reappear 
a few minutes afterwards. 

Seeing that he continued to observe us, I took the speaking-trumpet, and, with 
all the strength of lung I could command, hailed him in the Malay language. He 
did not appear to understand me, for he still maintained his position. 

“I fancy,” said James, “that if we treat him to a few English sea-sayings, 
such as ^ Shiver my timbers ! ’ ‘ Lay-to, you lubbers ! ’ ‘ Avast there ! ^ and so on, he 
will the better comprehend our meaning.” 

Thereupon he laid hold of the speaking-trumpet, and carried out his intention. 

Almost at the same moment the savage raised the branch of a tree above his 
head, in sign of peace, and began rowing swiftly in our direction. 

The other boys laughed heartily at the success of James’s device. But they 
soon changed their tone when they recognised in the savage, black as he was, and 
wearing a plume of feathers on his head, our dear Eritz. 

In a short time he was upon the deck of the pinnace embracing us. 

His mother, intoxicated with joy, overwhelmed him with kisses and caresses, 
without troubling herself about his strange costume or the colour of his skin. 

It was not until we all burst into a laugh, on seeing her face disfigured with 
Fritz’s war-paint, that she came to herself. 


CHAPTER XLIir. 

RETURN OF FRITZ. MISS JENNY. 

I JUDGED it wise now to tell my wife the secret of Fritz’s expedition. Her surprise 
and, I am bound to add, her anxiety were extreme. 

The three younger boys, scenting a mystery, plied Fritz with so many questions 
that he would have had some difficulty in answering them, even if his examiners 
bad not spoken all at once. 

At length, when this flow of words had ceased, I asked him to satisfy me upon 
two points. Had his expedition been successful ? And to what end had he meta- 
morphosed himself into a savage ? 

“ My expedition has ended most satisfactorily,” he replied, giving me a significant 
look j “ and I cannot tell you how glad I am that I undertook it. As to my disguise, 
that was a measure of precaution. I saw you a long way off, and took you for 
Malay pirates. The reports of your cannon led me to think that you were in gi’eat 


Return of Fritz. 


329 



THE LION AT A DEAD STAND.— 2 ?. 323 . 


force, and I therefore judged it prudent to change my garments aoid blacken my face, 
lest my European appearance should unduly attract your attention and curiosity.” 

My wife here interrupted us to wash Fritz’s face. She could not bear to see 
him looking like a negro, she said. When he had been restored to his natural 
colour, he continued. 


330 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


“ Father,” he said, “ God has heard my prayers and vouchsafed an answer to 
them. I have discovered the volcanic island, with the Burning Eock upon it ; and, 
as the rising tide will soon compel us to seek an anchorage, I will, with your per- 
mission, conduct you to a neighbouring bay, where we shall find ” 

I interposed at this point, and, leading Fritz apart, asked him in a low voice to 
tell me what kind of a person it was that he had discovered ; “ because,” I added, 
“in some contingencies it would be better, perhaps, that you and I should go alone.” 

He reassured me in an instant. 

“ Father,” he said, “ I thought when I saw her that I was looking upon my 
mother at the age of fifteen, or rather, perhaps, upon one who should have been your 
daughter, if we had been granted the happiness of having a sister worthy of both 
her and you.” 

“ Forward, then ! ” I cried, delighted. “ Conduct us to the rock at once ! ” 

Fritz immediately set out with amazing ardour and swiftness. Seated in -his 
canoe, he shot ahead to guide us through the channels among the sunken rocks, and 
at length brought us to the far side of an island situated at the western end of Pearl 
Bay. A long tongue of land ran out into the sea, and formed a natural port, at 
which we landed. 

Fritz leapt upon the beach without saying a word, and ran towards a clump of 
gigantic palms, among the umbrageous branches of which we descried a kind of hut, 
something like that at Falcon-nest, but constructed wholly of boughs. We naturally 
followed in the footsteps of our guide, and soon found ourselves standing before a fire 
composed of large stones, upon which Avas placed, in lieu of a pot, a large shell. 

Fritz fired one of liis pistols in the air, and at this signal we saAv descending 
from a neighbouring tree, not a girl of fifteen as I had expected, but a trim young 
sailor, slender in form, and of a modest and charming mien. 

I know not how to describe the sensations we felt at this moment. For ten 
years the human race had been dead to us, and now all at once recollections of it 
were suddenly raised to life in the person of the fair creature standing before us. 
She looked almost a child, so beautiful and so ingenuous was her countenance. 

We stood for an instant dazed and silent My children, especially, could hardly 
believe their eyes. Tlie stranger, upon her part, seemed to be equally undecided as to 
the line of conduct Avhich she ought to pursue. 

Fritz put an end to our embarrassment. 

“ My dear mother, dear father, and dear brothers,” he said, “ I present to you 
a friend— the young Lord Edward Montrose.” At this point he looked at me 
significantly. “ May he be welcomed as a son and a brother in our family circle ! ” 

“ He is welcome ! ” Ave all replied enthusiastically. 

The young sailor looked so inexpressibly happy, that our sympathies were Avon 
over at once. 

As head of the fiimily I stepped forAvard, and, taking the stranger’s hands in 


Return of Fritz. 


331 


both my own, saluted her in the English manner, with as much warmth and kind- 
ness as if she had been one of my own sons, restored to us after a long separation. 

She thanked me in a low, timid voice, and then, addressing my wife, recom- 
mended herself particularly to her care and kindness. 

I had understood from the look given me by Eritz, when he introduced the 
stranger as a man, that for the present he did not wish his brothers to know she 
was a girl. Both I and my wife kept the secret, and I desired the children to show 
tlieir young comrade every possible hospitality. 

My recommendation was needless. The young lord had already become the 
object of the most delicate attentions. Even the dogs greeted him with joy-barks 
and caresses. 

The younger boys, in their ardour, ran pell-mell to the pinnace, and brought 
thence the table, the seats, and all sorts of provisions for our evening repast. Our 
good housewife displayed to the best advantage her brilliant talents as cook, while 
the innocent young Edward almost betrayed himself by the ease and knowledge 
with which he assisted my wife in her household duties. 

Our supper was a joyous one. My boys, enlivened a little by some Canary wine 
which I had brought out in honour of the occasion, gave free vent to their youthful 
sprightliness; and we gossipped mirthfully, but not foolishly, till a far later hour 
than was usual with us. At length I put an end to the conversation, and ordered 
a retreat. 

We all rose from table. The stranger was about to bid us good night, with the 
intention of retiring to her hut in the tree, when my wife prevented her, saying that 
she had prepared a bed for her on board the pinnace. 

Meanwhile my sons, who had taken the precaution to light safety fires upon the 
beach, sat chatting round the braziers. The three younger ones plied Eritz with 
questions to find out how it was that he had at first hit upon the idea of making 
an excursion to Burning Bock. 

s Straightway he proceeded to tell them the story of the albatross, and of his 
subsequent expedition, with so much precipitation, that he completely forgot to 
substitute the name of Lord Edward for that of Miss Jenny, which was the real 
name of the young lady. 

“ Ha ! ha ! cried the three listeners. “ Master Fritz has betrayed himself, and 
our new brother is changed into a charming sister ! Hurrah ! hurrah ! 

Fritz was for a moment disconcerted ; but he put the best face upon the' matter, 
and joined heartily in the laugh against himself. 

Francis was dumbfounded. “This is a most extraordinary thing !’Mie said. 
« I did not know there was any other woman in the world besides mamma.” 

The next morning the three younger boys met the stranger with an air half 
of embarrassment and” half of mischief, and saluted her by the name of Miss 
Jenny, which they strongly accentuated. The poor child blushed and lowered 


332 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 

h^eyes at first, but, recovering herself almost instantly, she frankly held out 
her hand to the young monkeys, and with charming grace commended herseH to 
their brotherly friendship. 

After breakfast— which, thanks to some chocolate prepared by Fritz, was a 
very substantial one— we determined to set sail, in order to recover what remained 
of the whale we had killed on the previous day. Its carcase was too valuable 
to be abandoned wholly to the birds. 

We cut the monster up as we best could, and by the advice of Jenny who 
saw clearly enough that, circumstanced as we were, a half-loaf was better than 
no bread — we determined to take away at once as much blubber as we could put 
in our sacks and stow away in the pinnace, and leave the rest to the vultures. 

When this labour came to an end we returned to Burning Bock, to bring away 
the baggage of the young Englishwoman, who, moved by a praiseworthy sentiment, 
wished to preserve every object that recalled the circumstances of her isolation, and 
the special protection which Providence had vouchsafed to her. The whole of hei 
movables — they were not many, poor thing ! — were placed on board the pinnace , 
and then, after bidding adieu to Burning Bock, and christening the creek where 
Fritz had landed by the name of Happy Bay, on account of our fortunate discovery 
of Miss Jenny, we set out for Pearl Bay, where it was necessary to make a short 
sojourn before returning to Bock-house. 

On arriving there we found that the lions had become a prey to vultures and 
other birds, and that nothing was left of them but a few bones bleaching in the sand. 
We put up our tent, intending to stay only as long as was necessary to harvest our 
pearls from the shells of the decomposed fish. But a discovery which I made delayed 
our departure. 

Among the rocks, I remarked one which appeared to be calcareous or chalky, 
and I thereupon determined to build a kiln, and endeavour to prepare some 
lime. 

We set vigorously to work. The kiln was built and filled with chalk, and a 
fire was lighted above and below, which it was necessary to leave burning for several 
days. 

During this operation we had plenty of leisure on our hands, and, being pressed 
by his brothers, Fritz set apart a portion of each evening, after Miss J enny had 
retired to rest, to recount his adventures in search of Burning Bock. He began his 
narrative as follows : — 

“You remember the circumstances under which I left you, after handing our 
father a letter, in which I explained to him the object of my excursion. Well, on 
setting out the sea was calm and the weather fine, but I had no sooner passed Pearl 
Bay than a terrible tempest arose. My cajack not being strong enough to do battle 
with the waves, I allowed it to float at will, and, without giving all up for lost, 
commended myself to the protection of God. My confidence was not misplaced. 


Return of Fritz. 


333 



After tliree hours of tumult the sea grew calm again, the heavens became serene, and 
my little craft glided gaily over the waves. 

“ But I was far from any point that 1 could recognise. The country around 
me was different to anything I had yet seen. The coasts of the islands among which 
I found myself were fringed with enormous rocks whose points pierced the clouds, 




334 


The Swiss Family Robinsoh. 


while inland I could see gigantic forests, in which birds of varied and brilliant 
plumage flew from bough to bough, and majestic rivers that roared down to the sea. 

“ Several times I was sorely tempted to ascend one or other of these great water- 
courses, but the fear of making my excursion too long withheld me. I had but one 
desire, and that was to And Burning Bock. To arrive there, I would have encountered 
any obstacle. Nevertheless, the heat of the day became so overpowering that, in spite 
of my resolution not to loiter by the way, I felt compelled at last to seek the welcome 
shade of the hanging bowers of foliage that adorned the coast. I had no sooner 
alighted upon the sands of this fertile and enchanting shore, however, before I saw at 
no great distance in front of me a numerous herd of hippopotami, disporting them- 
selves in one of the rivers. And, what was worse, a number of serpents, with 
glistening scales, were writhing in and out among the underwood at the foot of the 
trees, like the roots of some huge mangrove endowed with motion. 

Nothing more was needed, you may be sure, to cause me to prefer the hottest 
sun at sea to a shade so treacherous ; and I paddled away again for miles without 
finding a spot at which I could debark. Every ten minutes revealed to me some 
huge denizen of the forest, such as a lion, a panther' or an elephant. 

“ After a journey of some hours, the face of the coast changed, and I found myself 
opposite scenery of a far more pastoral character. The songs of inofiensive birds 
alone broke the silence of the peaceful-looking solitude. I landed in perfect security, 
and, having fastened my boat to a large boulder, made a hearty meal of oysters and 
other shell-fish, which I found lying in large quantities along the beach. 

“ By this time day was on the wane, and, as I did not think it prudent to pass 
the night in a region so altogether unknown to me, I determined to sleep in my 
cajack. I anchored the craft a few fathoms out, by tying a large stone to a rope 
fastened to the prow, and throwing it into the water. Although feeling tolerably 
safe from attack, I fired off my gun as a warning to evil-disposed beasts, and 
then, wrapping myself in one of our skins, fell soundly asleep. 

“ The next morning I awoke early, and, having returned thanks to Almighty 
God for the tranquillity in which I had spent the night, I again set out on my 
Voyage. 

felt full of strength and spirits. My cajack cut through the waves like 
an arrow. I abandoned myself to the enjoyment of the magnificent scenery that 
lay spread out before me. 

Towards noon, fatigued by several hours of continual rowing, I decided to 
land near a little wood, the aspect of which was most inviting. The luxuriant 
foliage of the trees was peopled with humming-birds, paroquets, and a thousand 
other feathered songsters, who kept up a continuous and harmonious concert. At 
once surprised and delighted, I pushed on beneath overhanging bowers, formed of 
branches and trailing plants, which stretched from tree to tree, and drooped in 
graceful festoons almost to my head. 


Return of Fritz. 


335 


“I unliooded my eagle, wlio, feeling himself free, took wing, and soon re- 
turned with a little paroquet, which I took away and was examining, when all 
at once I heard behind me a crackling among the branches, as if some large animal 
were making its way through them. 

I turned round, and what think you I saw ? A huge striped tiger, not 
more than ten or twelve paces away from me ! I saw at once that it was too 
late to think of flight. I was so terrified that I could hardly hold my gun, 
which, besides, would be but a feeble protection against so redoubtable an enemy. 

“ A cold perspiration broke from every pore in my body, and I verily believed 
that my last hour was come ; when suddenly my eagle, who no doubt well under- 
stood the danger in which I was placed, precipitated himself upon the head of 
the tiger, and with beak and claws began to tear out its eyes. 

“ I was saved ! The tiger, fully occupied in defending itself against the 
furious attack of the bird, took no further notice of me. Seeing this, I approached, 
drew my pistols, and fired them. One shot crashed into the creature’s skull : he 
uttered a terrific roar and fell over dead. 

“The joy which I felt on achieving this victory was tempered, however, by a 
most poignant grief. One of my shots, aimed hastily, had struck the eagle, which 
fell dead at the same moment as the tiger. I took the faithful bird up, and, 
weeping tears of regret, carried it down to the cajack, to be brought home and 
preserved in our museum. 

“Quitting this place sad at heart, without even staying to skin the tiger, I 
rowed away listlessly, overcome by discouragement. Indeed, I was just upon the 
point of tacking about, in order to return to Rock-house, when, among the peaks 
of a small rocky island to my right, I saw a thin wreath of fiery smoke curling 
slowly up towards the sky. 

“ ‘ The Burning Rock ! ’ I cried, lifting my hands to heaven in an attitude of 
devout thankfulness. 

“IVIy ardour at once returned. I laid on to my oars with all my might, 
and in a short time effected a landing, not without some risk, upon the rocky 
coast of the island. .. 

“ I managed to climb with difficulty, using both my hands and my feet, to 
the top of a rock, whence ' I hoped to be able to survey the whole island. After 
looking about me for an instant, I followed a narrow pathway which led me down 
to a sort of platform, some few yards square, sheltered on all sides by the neigh- 
bouring rocks. 

“ Arrived there, I cautiously approached the entrance to a large cavern, which I 
thought perhaps might be the lair of some beast of prey. I was walking on tiptoe, 
with my pistols in my hand and my eyes and ears on the alert, when, through a 
break in the rocks, I perceived, with an emotion I cannot describe to you, a 
human creature, dressed like a man, but bearing every appearance of being a 


336 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


young girl, lying asleep, with her head resting on her arm, upon a bed of moss 
and dried leaves. I stood immovable and speechless. My surprise was as great 
as if the discovery, which had been the sole obect of my expedition, were wholly 
unexpected. For the first time during ten years I was looking upon a human 
creature who was not one of our own family ! For the first time during ten 
years I should, in a few minutes, hear a strange voice, and be looked upon by one 
who had never seen me before ! 

“ I hardly dared breathe. I stood gazing steadfastly upon the sleeping castaway. 
My joy was extreme to find that, instead of some poor creature worn-out with age 



“ I saw a thin wreath of fiery smoke curling slowly up towards the sky.”— p. 335. 


and fatigue, I was to rescue a young and charming girl. The features of the sleeper 
wore an expression so altogether infantine, that I did not think she could be more 
than twelve or fourteen years old. Her costume was that of a young midshipman. 
Long light hair fell about her face and upon her neck, and her little hand peeped 
out from among a mass of ringlets. 

“ I thanked God that he had chosen me to be the means of rescuing this lovely 
creature, and of presenting to my father and mother so beautiful a daughter, and 
to my brothers so amiable a sister. Her costume, after I had once examined her 
features, did not deceive me for an instant. Francis himself, who was so beautiful 
in his infancy, had not a softer or more delicate skin. I could only compare her 
to what I supposed our mother to have been at her age. 

“My heart beat so loudly against my breast, that I was afraid it would awake 
her. How long I stood there, contemplating her beauty, I know not. All I can 


Miss Jenny. 


337 


FRITZ FINDING MISS JENNY. 



saj is, that nothing in the world could have induced me to disturb a sleep sc 
tranquil . 

“A thousand confused thoughts agitated my mind. I would have given any- 
thing could my mother have stood in my place, so that the fair stranger on awaking 
might have looked first upon her sweet face. I might have stood there dreaming I 

22 





I 


odo Ihe Swiss Family Robinson. 

know not how long, but that a little bird, untroubled by scruples like my own, 
skimmed noisily into the cavern, and posted himself upon the fair young sleeper’s 
forehead. 

“ Waking with a start, she raised herself into a sitting posture, and peered 
round with her large lustrous eyes to see what it was that had disturbed her repose. 
The real offender had flown, and her eyes rested upon me. 

“ She uttered a cry of mingled surprise and terror. 

“ I could not, however, have looked very terrible, for I never in my life felt so 
much embarrassed. 

“ With a gesture almost of supplication, I strove to calm her. ‘ Fear nothing,* 
I said j ‘ I am far more alarmed than you are, and do not intend you any harm.’ 

« ( are you 1 * she asked. ‘ Whence come you ? How did you get here 1 * 

“ Then leaping lightly to her feet — 

‘ Whoever you are,’ she said, ‘ so that you be an honest man, I bid you 
welcome to this solitude.’ 

The sound of her voice, the anxiety depicted on her countenance, the emotion 
which agitated her whole frame, brought me to myself. 

“‘I am,’ I replied, ‘the unknown knight to whom you appealed by the 
message which you confided to the care of the albatross. I have quitted all to come 
to your rescue. I am not an Englishman, as you may tell by my accent, but I am a 
citizen of a free country, where we know the respect which is due to misfortune. A 
tempest, no doubt, cast you upon this rock. A tempest cast me and my father and 
mother and three brothers upon a neighbouring island. Ten years have we been 
separated from the rest of mankind, dwelling upon a corner of the earth which has 
now become our world. If you can put confidence in me, I will conduct you to my 
family.’ 

“ After hesitating an instant, during which I could read in her face the thousand 
contending doubts that were passing in her mind, she advanced a step and tendered 
me her hand 

“ ‘ Heaven reward you ! ’ she said in a voice broken by emotion — ‘ you and 
yours ! You have rescued me from a life that was^ worse than death, from a 
solitude that was fast becoming unbearable. If your father and mother will not 
turn me from their door, if your brothers are willing to receive me, I shall strive 
to become to the former the most grateful and submissive of daughters, and to the 
latter the most devoted and affectionate of sisters.’ 

“The similarity of our misfortunes soon established a perfect confidence 
between us. Miss Jenny — this, she said, was her name — told me that she had 
been cast half dead upon the rock where I found her; and, once there, she had 
achieved miracles of courage, of patience, and of industry to find the wherewithal 
to satisfy the first cravings of nature. Burning Bock is not nearly so productive 
as our island. Nevertheless, being alone there, dependent wholly upon her own 


Miss Jenny. 


woman’s strength, surrounded by a soil far less fertile than ours, and having nothing 
whatever cast up from the wreck, she had contrived to drive away hunger, thirst, 
and cold, and to live on from day to day, though suffering the most terrible priva- 
tions. In such circumstances, the little she was able to do was the more worthy of 
admiration. 

“ I listened to her story with amazement, being neither able to question her 
nor to interject observations upon it; and I went with her to visit the barren 
wilderness where she had neither despaired of herself nor lost her faith in God. 

“Miss Jenny was the first to recover her equanimity. She gave me a proof of 
it by asking me to assist her in prepaidng a repast. This recalled to my mind my 
good mother. 

“ Thanks to the excellent stock of provisions with which she had furnished the 
cajack, I was enabled to lay before my new-found friend a supper which she pro- 
nounced exquisite. 

“‘I always had a famous appetite,’ she said laughingly. ‘I think I was 
spoiled at home. Ah ! poor papa ! If he had only known the fate reserved for his 
child !’ 

“ And her laughter was succeeded by a passionate burst of weeping. 

“ ^Restrain your tears, dear Miss Jenny,’ I said. ‘ God will return to you all 
that you have lost a hundredfold.’ 

“We then retired for the night — I to my cajack, she to her hut in the tree, to 
which she climbed with the agility of a squirrel. 

‘ “ In the morning I used every effort to induce the young lady to take one of 
the seats in the cajack, and return with me to Rock-house; but she resolutely 
refused to leave behind her the thousand little objects which she had either made or 
found, and applied to useful purposes in her solitude. 

“ I therefore set out alone, with the double purpose of procuring a larger vessel 
and of bringing my mother to give the poor stranger a maternal welcome. 

“It was while on my way to Rock-house, with these objects in view, that I 
sighted the pinnace, and, taking you for pirates, disguised myself as you saw. It was 
not with any malicious intention that I made myself the subject of your fears, for, if 
if you will believe me, I was far more alarmed than you were. I had now not only 
my own life in my keeping, but that of another, the place of whose forlorn habitation 
was aiiogetner unknown to you.” 


340 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


CHAPTER XLIY. 

THE HISTORY OF MISS JENNY — A FAMILY FEAST — MUSICAL RECREATIONS. 

Fritz told us all that I have recorded in the foregoing chapter on the three first nights 
of our sojourn in Pearl Bay. The narrative was a long one, but it was not too 
long. As, however, we had to be on foot early in the morning of the fourth day, 
I gave the signal for retreat at the point where Fritz was telling us why he had 
assumed his strange disguise. The younger boys, who were burning to hear the 
remainder of the story, protested loudly ; but it was of no use. I was firm, and we 
all retired to rest. 

On the following morning, after breakfast, Ernest, James, and Francis took 
possession of their eldest brother, and begged him to continue the history of our 
young friend. 

Fritz suggested that Miss Jenny should herself recount the circumstances under 
which she became wrecked upon Rock Island j but she was too timid to do so. 

Thereupon Fritz himself took the word, and this, in brief, was his story : — 

Sir William Montrose, a major in the British army, had obtained the command 
of an important post in India, and went out there. While fulfilling his command 
he lost his wife, and was left with an only daughter, scarcely seven years of age — 
Miss Jenny. He lavished all his affection upon the little one thus committed to his 
charge, undertaking her education himself, and wisely determining so to train her that 
in the event of any reverse of fortune, she might be able to confront peril bravely, 
and do battle with adversity. Miss Jenny’s natural aptitude rendered his task easy 
of accomplishment. At fifteen years of age, she was as clever -in the management 
of a gun or a horse as she was fitted to move with ease and good-breeding in the 
best society. 

A circumstance now occurred which for the first time separated the father and 
daughter. Sir William was promoted, and named commander of an expedition 
destined for a distant part of the country. Not being able to take his daughter 
with him, he confided her to the care of a friend, the captain of a British war-vessel, 
who undertook to convey her to England, and place her in charge of one of Sir 
William’s sisters, who was childless. At the end of a year the father honed to 
bring his expedition to an end, when he proposed to obtain leave of absence and 
rejoin his daughter in London. 

The young lady embarked in the costume of a midshipman, because women 
were not allowed to travel on board a man-of-war. 

The voyage was a prosperous one during the first few days ; but after that a 
terrible tempest arose, which drove the ship leagues out of her course, and eventu^ally 
carried her to the same coast where we ourselves had been wrecked ten years before. 



The History of Miss Jenny. 


341 


Having struck upon the rocks, the vessel broke her back and foundered. One boat 
alone could be put to sea. In it was placed Miss J enny and as many of the officers 
and men as it would hold, lots being cast to select those who were to take this last 
chance of deliverance. Hardly had the frail craft received its living freight, when a 
huge wave struck and capsized it. By a miracle almost, the young girl, who had 
become insensible, was .carried on the crests of the breakers to the top of a rock on 
the volcanic island, where we found her. She saw no more of the men, some thirty 
in number, who had embarked with her in the boat. 

The first days of solitude were full of horror for the unfortunate young cast- 
away. Thrown upon an unknown coast, she had little in prospect beyond a slow 
death by starvation, or a quicker one by the attack of some terrible beast of prey. 



A FAMILY FEAST.— p. 343. 


How happy to her now was the reflection that she had received 'an education which 
had developed in her courage, fortitude, and ingenuity — qualities so necessary in 
the new mode of life she was about to commence ! 

She commended herself to the care of God, and at once set about constructing 
a hut, or rather a nest, in the trees, as we had done ourselves at Falcon-nest. 
Hunting and fishing supplied her with food. Among the few pieces of wreck washed 
up by the tide, she found some nails, which she bent and used as fish-hooks, plaiting 
threads drawn from her garments to serve as lines. With the larger iron-work 
thrown up she made a number of rude tools for daily use, and weapons for her 
defence against unknown enemies. She was thus enabled to cut out arrows, which 
she used with great adroitness in her hunting excursions. Her food, however, 


342 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


consisted chiefly of fruits, shell-fish, roots, and dried fish — especially during the rainy 
season, which had reduced her to the most terrible state of j^rivation. 

One of her favourite pastimes had been to catch young birds, which she tamed 
and trained. It was thus that she had obtained the albatross,, which, after involun- 
tarily delivering her message to Fritz, had faithfully carried my son’s reply back again. 

Such, in few words, was the story Fritz had to tell us. 

When he had concluded his narrative, we gave Miss J enny the warmest proofs 
of our afiection ; and the young girl, pleased to be the subject of so effusive a display 
of goodwill, responded with deep emotion — the grace with which she tendered her 
thanks adding to the charms of her lovely face and figure. 

Meanwhile our lime-burning experiment had succeeded to perfection. Several 
pieces were submitted to the action of water, and crumbled away, hissing and 
sputtering. 

During the day Miss Jenny bustled about bravely to assist us in our several 
labours, so that I was able to see with my own eyes how dexterous and useful she 
was, not only in those employments which appertained to her own sex, but in those 
rougher kinds of labour which fall to the lot of men ; and I thanked God that he 
had sent me an adopted daughter at once so beautiful and so able. 

By sunset the pinnace was loaded with everything that we intended to carry 
away with us. 

We desired much to return to Bock-house, my sons especially, for they were 
impatient to do the honours of the establishment to their young companion. 

They had painted for her a picture of our island home so enchanting, that when 
we raised anchor in the morning she could not restrain a cry of joy. We needed 
no other proof that our society had become more pleasant to her than the dear, 
though forlorn, home of her solitude on Burning Bock. 

On nearing Deliverance Bay, and seeing Cape Disappointment in the distance, 
I proposed to sail on to Prospect Hill, to ascertain whether the farmery was still 
in good condition. Fritz and Francis, who preceded us in the cajack, went straight 
to Bock-house to prepare for our reception. 

On walking over our grounds at Prospect Hill, Miss Jenny manifested the 
liveliest surprise and admiration. It was two years since she had seen a trace of a 
human habitation, and our farmery, peopled with sheep and goats and poultry, 
recalled to her mind the dear home she had been obliged to abandon in India. 

We stayed at Prospect Hill all night, and on the next morning set sail again, 
touching at Whale Island, where the colony of rabbits proved a fresh source of 
delight to our newly-adopted daughter. 

The two young men, who had gone on before, had, as I expected, used every 
effort to receive us witn distinction. Our approach to the entrance of Deliverance 
Bay was signalised by two rounds of ordnance, to which I replied with the guns of 
the pinnace. 


A Family Feast. 


343 


As we doubled the cape at Shark Island, we saw Fritz and Francis in the 
cajack, coming to meet us. Once in sight, they tacked about, and piloted us to land. 
When we had cast anchor Fritz leapt ashore, and with imperturbable gravity 
announced himself as the Governor of the Castle of Bock-house, to which mansion 
he invited us, to partake of the refreshments there awaiting our arrival. Then, with 
knightly courtesy, he offered his hand to Miss Jenny, and conducted her to the 
umbrageous verandah in front of our grotto. 

In the open air, in front of the door, we saw with surprise a table laid out with 
all the choicest productions of the island. The calabash dishes were filled with 
magnificent ananas, intermingled with fresh green leaves ; while pyramids of oranges 
stood side by side with baskets of figs and guavas. Canary wine, hydromel, and 
fresh milk from our cows invited us temptingly to slake our thirst. In the centre 
of the table lay a couple of roasted fowls and a dish of fried fish. Over the. table 
was suspended a double garland of leaves, on which were picked out in flower- 
blooms these words : — 

“ A thousand welcomes to our dear sister J enny ! Alay the day he long 
rememhered on vjhich she first set foot in the dwelling of the Swiss Robinson ! ” 

It was a magnificent feast — a reception such as I scarcely thought could have 
been provided out of the means we had at hand in our island solitude. 

Miss Jenny took her place between my wife and me : it was only right that 
she should occupy the seat of honour. Ernest and James faced us. Fritz and Francis 
would not sit down at all. Napkin on arm, like waiters at an hotel, they ran hither 
and thither, cut the joints, changed the plates, and poured out wine, with a 
gravity and agility which was as admirable as it was droll. 

The afternoon was macle a complete holiday. Each of the boys did his best to 
entertain our young guest. She was taken all over the grotto and all over the 
adjacent ground. 

*‘Dear Jenny, do look here!” cried one. “Pray examine this first!” said 
another. “That will do presently,” rejoined a third; “come here and see some- 
thing that you have never seen before ! ” In spite of her tact and native gracious- 
ness of demeanour, the amiable child found it utterly impossible to satisfy everybody. 
At length my wife rescued her from her tormentors, and led her into the kitchen, 
which, in the eyes of a good housewife, is by no means the least important element 
in the organisation of a home. 

The next morning early, the whole household was afoot, for we had determined 
to make an excursion to Falcon-nest, with the exception of Miss J enny, who was 
still weak in health, and to whom therefore James lent his buffalo : we all went 
on foot. 

The house in the tree had again suffered from the weather, and we all set 
to work to restore it. Three days sufiSced to put it into habitable condition. 


344 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


While we were engaged in this labour, a few showers of rain fell, and warned 
us to gather in our harvests and stores of provisions for the winter. 

In these latter occupations Miss J enny displayed an amount of ingenuity and 
willingness which rendered her aid invaluable to us. She did my wife a thousand 
nameless services, and crept deeper into her love every day. We all worked so 
vigorously, that we had nothing to fear when the rainy season set in. 

Although habituated to the periodical occurrence of the heavy rains, we never 
contemplated their approach without a feeling of commingled sadness and terror. 
Our long seclusion, the roaring of the sea upon the shore, the howling of the wind, 
the boom of the thunder, the terrible glare of the lightning, and the ceaseless 
hissing of the rain, all concurred to render us melancholy. But this year, thanks 
to the agreeable society, the incessant industry, and the never-failing sprightliness of 
our fair young friend, the rainy season was one of the most pleasant we had ever 
spent upon the island. Since we had an amiable companion with whom to share 
our joys and sorrows, that which was new to her became new to us, and we seemed 
to live over the past again. 

I shall not attempt to describe in detail the events of this pleasant, this joyous 
season. The even flow of a happy life is incapable of narration. 

Sufl&ce it to say that Miss Jenny perfected us in the pronunciation of the 
English language. Fritz and Ernest, if I may trust her report, acquired as pure 
an accent as a born Englishman. On her part, she learnt in a very short time 
to speak German with a charming accuracy, and even with grace ; and this, 
to my wife, was an accomplishment which she could never find words to praise 
suflaciently. 

The union between the two women was perfect — so much so that when, one 
day, Jenny asked in a voice trembling with apprehension whether she might be 
permitted to call my dear wife by the sacred name of “ mother,” her only answer 
was a passionate burst of tears and a warm maternal embrace. It was a touching 
«cene, awaking emotions known only to the hearts of those who love each other 
tenderly. 

“Once more, then,” cried Jenny, weeping for joy, “I have a mother — a beauti- 
ful and loving mother.” 

“ And I,” said my wife, not less moved, “ have found a charming daughter, as 
good as she is brave and courageous,” and she took Jenny to her heart. 

And when the boys laughingly disputed with Jenny her right to their mother’s 
kisses, “ Fy ! fy ! ” she said, “ I am ashamed of you ! So jealous as that ! Are you 
«uch misers that you cannot spare a few of the good things which you have in plenty, 
and which I have not enjoyed for many long years ? And you pretend to be brothers 
who love me ! ’' 

Jenny had a remarkable voice, and a rare talent for music. Her memory, also, 
was such that she knew by heart the choicest morceaicx from all the great masters. 


Mvsical .Beckhations. 


345 



mss JE^’^•Y ON James’s buffalo.— C43. 


She not only charmed our solitude by her singing, but she taught Francis, who had 
great aptitude in that direction. 

It was quite a revolution in our lives to hear her sweet voice, and the improvised 
concerts which she arranged at unexpected times with Francis. 

Jenny’s own voice was so clear and musical that it filled the whole grotto ; we 


343 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


listened to it, and were compelled to silence. Her peaceful melodies raised our souls 
nearer to the Divine Giver of music. 

You can understand now how it was that our winter passed so pleasantly. 

For the first time the sun reappeared without finding us bemoaning his 
absence. 


CHAPTER XLV. 

A GRAVE INCIDENT — ^ON THE LOOK-OUT VISITORS — NEW FRIENDS. 

Notwithstanding all the charms of our enforced solitude, my sons felt, as the fine 
season again approached, an insatiable desire for liberty and independence. They 
left the grotto as birds escape from their cages, flying on swiftest wing to fields 
bathed in light. 

Fritz, the intrepid sailor, proposed to make an excursion to Shark Island, for 
the purpose of ascertaining whether the sea, during its tumult, had thrown anything 
valuable upon the rocks. xVs I could not accompany him, he set out with James. 

I desired them, in accordance with our invariable custom at the end of the 
rainy season, to fire off two rounds of ordnance on their arrival at their destination. 
We had a double purpose in pursuing this course. The guns would serve as a signal 
to any poor creature who might have been wrecked upon our coasts, and also it 
would enable, us to establish communications with any vessel that might find itself 
in our neighbourhood. 

The boys were not likely to forget my instructions, for nothing pleased them 
better than to make play with our cannon • 

But what was their astonishment when they distinctly heard, far out at sea, the 
report of a gun in response to their double detonation ! 

At first they were in doubt, thinking it an echo ; but in a short time the first 
report was succeeded by another. Some minutes after, while they were listening in 
silent anxiety, ai third report resounded over the waves. 

In the first ecstacies of their emotion they embraced each other for joy. 

At length Fritz cried, “A rescue ! a rescue ! ” 

“ God grant that it may be ! ” ejaculated James. 

What shall we do ? ” he added. 

“ Go at once and tell father,” replied Fritz. 

And without more ado they leapt into the cajack, which, impelled by two pairs 
of vigorous arms, literally flew across to the beach. 

“ What has happened F’ I asked, seeing their scared look. 

“ Oh, father ! father ! Have you heard nothing ? ” they exclaimed, throwing 
themselves into my arms. 

“Nothing,” I replied. 


“absolutely nothing.' 


On the Look-Out. 


347 


Then they imparted their astonishing news. 

At first I thought they had been deceived ; but they affirmed so energetically 
and so seriously that they had distinctly heard three cannon-shots, that it was im- 
possible for me any longer to doubt the fact. But were we to rejoice or to be 
alarmed ? Had we in our neighbourhood Europeans or Malay pirates ? Such were 
the grave questions I asked myself. 

I hastened to assemble the family and take counsel with them, for I found the 
subject too grave to decide upon myself. 

Darkness surprised us before we had come to a conclusion. I gave the signal 
to retire to rest, advising my boys to keep watch by turns during the night in front 
of the grotto, lest we should be surprised. 

The weather was lovely at first, but later on a terrible storm arose. The rain 
fell in torrents, and the howling of the wind and the dash of the waves prevented us 
hearing any other sound seaward. 

During two days and two nights, it seemed as if the rainy season had re- 
commenced. It was quite impossible for us to go out, as we intended, to take 
observations. 

On the third day the wind fell, the sea became calm, and we were able to make 
a voyage to Shark Island. I went thither with Eritz, taking with me a couple of 
flags, with which to make signals either of joy or alarm to our dear ones who 
remained at home at Bock-house. 

If I lowered the flag three times and finally cast it into the sea, they were to 
take instant flight to Falcon-nest. If, on the contrary, I waved it over my head, 
they were to remain where they were and fear nothing. 

You may imagine with what beating hearts we landed and climbed to our 
observatory. We swept the horizon carefully on all sides with our telescopes, and, 
discovering nothing, I told Fritz to charge and fire the cannon. 

He obeyed me, and a few minutes afterwards we heard, in the direction of 
the south-west, which we had never explored, first one report, then a second, then a 
third, and so on, to the seventh report. 

We had no doubt whatever now that there was a vessel in our neighbourhood. 

It only remained to ascertain its character. 

We returned to the family without having given them a signal. 

They overwhelmed us with questions, to which, as you can well understand, we 
were unable to reply. 

I told them that I had determined to set out on a voyage of discovery, in 
company with Fritz, and this project had their unanimous assent. Jenny, indeed, 
ordinarily so calm and business-like, gave expression to the wildest hopes. She was 
certain, she said, that the strange ship could belong to no one but her father, who, 
having returned to London and heard of the wreck, had set out instantly in search 
of his lost daughter. I could not find it in my heart to discourage the dear child, 


348 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


but, I confess, I did not share her pious confidence in the romantic chivalrousness 
of her father. 

I had all the provisions put in safety, and as Fritz and I set out in the cajack, 
my wife. Miss Jenny, and my three younger sons departed for Falcon-nest; taking 
tv^ith them the cattle. 

Utilising the idea which Fritz had hit upon some months before, we dis- 
guised ourselves as savages, thinking that, in any case, this device would lay us 
less open to suspicion as to our intentions. This, however, did not prevent us 
from concealing our best arms in the bottom of the canoe 



OUR SIGNAL STATION.— 2?. 347. 


It was near upon mid-day when we set sail, and more than an hour elapsed 
before we rounded the western cape of Deliverance Bay. 

After rowing straight on for something like three hours in waters quite 
unknown to us, we found ourselves under a cape, which we determined to double 
by coasting, so that while we saw everything before us, we might be seen as little as 
possible. 

Judge of our astenisnment when, on rounding the promontory, we saw lying 
at anchor in the bay behind it a large three-master, flying the English flag \ 

I had the greatest difficulty in preventing Fritz from throwing himself into the 
water to swim to the vessel. Nothing but my suggestion that the unknown captain 
might be flying English colours as a cover to piracy could restrain him. 

Then we put in behind a clifi', which, while hiding us from view, enabled us to 
see clearly everything that was passing on board and on shore. 


Visitors. 


349 


A little distance up the beach a large tent was erected, and a fire was burning, 
before which some joints of meat were in process of roasting. The crew of the 
ship appeared to be very numerous. Two sentinels were pacing backwards and 
forwards on the deck. We ventured out of our concealment, whereupon one of 
them disappeared, and quickly returned with an officer, who held a telescope under 
his arm. 

“ That is the captain,” said Fritz. “ I recognise him by his uniform. We have 
nothing to fear, father, for his features are undoubtedly those of a European.” 

Fritz’s remark was a shrewd one; 
nevertheless, I did not think it wise to 
venture nearer at present. 

Taking up the speaking-trumpet, I 
shouted with all my might in English 
— “ Englishmen ! Good men ! ” without 
adding anything more. 

The captain, who evidently took us 
for the savages we appeared to be, made 
signs to us to advance, at the same time 
displaying before us some pieces of red 
cloth, together with axes, nails, beads, and 
other articles which it is usual to ex- 
change with the indigenous inhabitants of 
the New World. 

His mistake caused us a good deal of 
amusement ; but we were not yet satisfied 
that we should be safe in putting ourselves 
in his power. 

We consequently determined to go 
away, and to present ourselves on the 
morrow in our proper persons, and with more pomp, before our European visitors. 

We made signs of farewell, and disappeared briskly behind the promontory. 

Joy had doubled our strength, and in a very short time we were again with our 
^ ‘Iv, who awaited us with impatience. 

• '^idence and reserve with which we had conducted the interview with 
were approved on all hands. 

we had taken counsel together, it was decided that we should all embark 
ning in the pinnace, and visit the European ship in state. 

} employed the remainder of the day in putting the armament of our craft 
. : ;r, in bedecking her gaily with flags, and in the preparation of the old uniforms 

. we had brought off the wreck ten years before. We also laid in a stock of 
choicest fruits and the principal productions of our islands, which we intended 



THE ENGLISH FRIGATE.— 2). 350 . 


350 


The Swiss Family Eobinson. 


to present to tlie captain ; for we judged it wise to inspire him and. his crew with 
an exaggerated idea of our wealth and power. 

Next morning after breakfast, we lifted anchor. Near the guns, which were 
loaded, stood James and Ernest. Fritz, in the uniform of a naval officer, preceded us 
in the cajack. 

As soon as we got within a mile of the English vessel — the sight of which 
awoke in us, and in Jenny particularly, the deepest emotions — I ordered the British 
flag to be hoisted, and in a few moments it was floating gaily out to the winds from 
the fore-mast of the pinnace. 

The astonishment of the English crew on seeing a vessel with flags flying and 
all sails set, advancing proudly into the bay, was so great, that if we -had been 
pirates I verily believe we should have been able to make an easy prize of the ship 
in the first moments of confusion which our appearance had brought about among 
her crew. 

Having taken in sail at some distance from the vessel, I and Fritz embarked in 
the pinnace^s boat, which we towed behind us, and rowed on to salute the captain, 
who from the quarter-deck replied to us most amicably, and invited us on board 
without delay. 

The worthy officer received us with all a sailor’s frankness and cordiality, and 
leading us into his cabin, inviting us to drink a flagon of old port with him, asked 
us under what circumstances it was that we found ourselves upon an island which, 
as he had understood, was only inhabited by savages. 

I briefly narrated to him the history of our shipwreck, and of our life upon 
the island. I also spoke to him of Miss Jenny, and asked if he had ever chanced 
to hear of her father. Sir William Montrose. 

He said he knew the name of the gentleman well, and had heard that after 
distinguishing himself in his expedition in India, he had returned to England, and 
retired from the service. As for himself, his name was Littlestone, and he was 
commander of the frigate Unicorn. Overtaken by a storm, he had been driven 
out of his course, but had been fortunate enough to find an excellent port at a 
moment when he had almost given his vessel up for lost. As the parts in which he 
found himself were wholly unknown to him, he thought perhaps I could give him 
some information which would be of value ; and for that reason and many others, 
he was proud to make my acquaintance. 

When the captain had finished speaking, I begged him to do me the honour of 
paying a visit to the pinnace, in order that I might present him to my family. 

He at once accepted my invitation, and embarking in one of his own boats, 
which was rowed by two of his sailors, was soon on board our vessel. It is un- 
necessary to say that he was received with eveiy manifestation of joy. Miss Jenny, 
especially, displayed the liveliest satisfaction at being able to speak of her father to 
a compatriot. 


New Fbieees.- 


351 


The captain had among his passengers an English family, whose acquaintance 
we were happy enough to make. It consisted of Mr. Woolton, a distinguished 
engineer and shipbuilder, whose health had suffered much during the voyage ; his 
wife, Mrs. Woolton; and their two charming daughters, one aged fourteen and the 
other twelve. Notwithstanding the tenderest attentions of his wife and children, 
Mr. Woolton had been growing feebler and feebler daily. The sea- air was too • 
bracing for him, and to save his life it was necessary that he should land as soon as 
possible. We offered him and his family an asylum^ at Eock-house, placing at their 
service everything in our possession. 

Our proposition was accepted with gratitude, and the same day the amiable 
family was transferred to our island home. 

The surprise with which the new-comers surveyed our possessions would be 
difficult to exq>ress. Their exclamations of astonishment, repeated enthusiastically 
over every object that met their view, amused my sons hugely. They could hardly 
bring themselves to believe that six persons had been able to achieve so much by 
their own unaided exertions. In the evening we took supper under the verandah, 
and until bed- time conversed together with gaiety and animation. 

iOuring the night my wife and I were occupied by the gravest thoughts. The 
opportunity we had so long prayed for, of returning to our friends in Europe, had 
at last offered itself. Should we profit by it ? Why, we asked ourselves after 
reflection — why should we abandon a home where we had been so happy, with the 
object of renewing relations which time and absence had probably destroyed for 
ever ? Had we not reached an age when tranquillity and repose were far more 
pleasing to us than the risk of a voyage to the Eastern Hemisphere ? Nevertheless, 
we had no desire that our own decision should influence that of our sons, if they 
wished to return to their fatherland — though the idea of parting from them rent 
our hearts. 

Miss Jenny, since she had learned that her father was in England, ardently 
desired to go thither and rejoin him. 

I doubted not that her departure would be the cause of deep grief to my eldest 
son, who had never concealed the profound afiection which the young girl had 
inspired in him. 

No time was to be lost in coming to a decision upon these points, delicate as 
they were for all of us. 

The next morning, at breakfast, Mr. Woolton, who already felt the better for 
his brief sojourn on land, gave me his hand and said — “ The life which you lead 
in this solitude pleases me immensely. I feel that I should grow young again in 
this magnificent country, and I should esteem myself fortunate if I could obtain 
your consent to take up my habitation in some corner of it.” 

The ^proposition was received with joy. We all of us expressed the happiness 
we should have in admitting him to our colony with his wife and daughters. I 


352 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 



“ Jenny wept piteously. * Pardon, pardon ! ’ she sobhed. ‘ Ob, pray forgive me ! ’ ” 


also took advantage of the occasion to announce that I and my wife had come to 
the resolution to end our days in that beautiful island — to which I desired to give 
the name of ‘‘New Switzerland.” 

“ To the prosperity of New Switzerland I ” cried the whole party, raising their 
calabash vessels filled with palm- wine. 


Fritz and Miss Jenny. 


353 



FN ROUTE. 


“And long life and prosperity to all wlio dwell in it !*’ added Ernest, James, 
and Francis. 

I remarked that Fritz kept silence, from which circumstance T understood that 
he secretly wished to accompany ]\Iiss Jenny. The poor boy hoped, no doubt, that 

23 


354 


The Swiss Family Bobinson. 


her father would consent to her union with one who had been the means of rescuing 
her from her cruel solitude. 

Although my heart bled as I looked forward to this double separation, I con- 
cealed my emotion, in order that I might not augment the grief of my wife, who 
had great difficulty in restraining her tears. 

She, poor woman, however, had herself noticed Fritz’s ominous silence as I had 
done. A deadly pallor overspread her face. The heart of the mother, far tenderer 
than that of the father, was broken. She fell into a swoon. 

Fritz threw himself upon his knees. “ My mother ! my mother ! ” he cried, 
“ I will not leave you — no, never. I will die at your feet rather.’* 

Jenny wept piteously. “Pardon — pardon!” she sobbed. “Oh, pray forgive 
me!” 

She also had comprehended the meaning of Fritz’s silence. 

When my wife returned to consciousness, Jenny gently led her into her 
chamber. 

What passed there between the mother and her adopted daughter I know not. 

In a short time my wife returned to us calmed — sad still, but resigned. Her 
arm encircled the waist of the young girl, whose head reposed upon her shoulder. 

Mr. Woolton and his family, feeling that their presence was a restraint upon us 
at this sacred time, went out and left us alone. 

Jenny approached me. “ My father,” she said, in a voice broken by emotion 
— and it was the first time she had called me by this name — “ My father, bestow 
upon me your blessing, as my mother has done ; let me — let us go. We shall come 
again to see you. Do not think that we are about to part from you for ever. Sir 
William Montrose is a man of honour and of the tenderest heart. He will certainly 
discharge his daughter’s obligations when he knows that his daughter’s happiness 
depends upon his doing so. He returned to Europe on my account, and on mine 
alone : he will quit Europe for my sake and for yours.” Then, looking tenderly at 
Fritz — “Have confidence in us both,” she said; “Fritz will answer for me, and I, 
knowing him as I do, will answer for him.” 

“ I have,” she continued, “ had a long conversation with the captain of the ship 
which is going to take us away. The purpose of his voyage, he told me, was to find 
some port in these seas which would be suitable as a refuge for British ships driven 
out of their course by stress of weather. And he added that the accident of his 
being cast upon our island had provided him with that which he came to seek. 
Now my father. Sir William INIontrose, is on the best terms with the Lords 
of the Admiralty. Your island will cease to be your island, but it will become a 
portion of the powerful realm of Great Britain — a centre of life and activity, whence 
your children, no doubt, may set out and leave you for a time, but to which thev 
will be able easily to return and dwell among you to the end of their days. Do not 
think that I am embracing a chimera. If all this of which I have snoken is not 


Conclusion. 


855 


accomplished, there is one thing at least which shall come to pass, and that is our 
re-union on this spot before six months is over. Dear father, put confidence in her 
who will always remain your chdd. Under the spur of misfortune children become 
men. Fritz and I have been trained up in this school — put faith in us ! ” 

I embraced the noble child. 

My wife gave her consent. 

I gave mine. 

Fritz, distracted by joy and grief, embraced first one and then the other, 
laughing and weeping by turns. 

At length we grew calmer. I took Fritz aside and gave him counsel, which I 
hoped would be of value to him in the event of his meeting with disappointment on 
his arrival in England. 

“ Rest assured, dear father,” he said on leaving us, “ your son will always do 
his duty. I shall not be worthy of success if I am not prepared for reverses.” 


I have little to add. A year had not passed away before all that our charming 
young prophetess had predicted had come to pass, with one exception. Her father 
was dead before she reached London, and she had not the consolation of seeing him 
again. 

Five years have passed since then, and what changes have taken place ! The 
sailors of the Unicorn, on their arrival in Europe, spread the account of our history 
in every land, and their relation, as may readily be supposed, became more wonder- 
ful every time it was repeated. I have often heard them say since that, even 
before the end of the voyage, the strange facts of which they had been witnesses had 
ceased to gratify their appetite for the marvellous, and that they had found it 
necessary to their enjoyment to amplify our plain story with added circumstances 
of their own invention. And on their arrival in England, finding eager listeners 
to whatever they had to say, vanity, and above all greed, became new incentives 
bo deception, and from cheating themselves for pleasure they took to deceiving 
others for pecuniary advantage. Our history, it might be thought, narrated in its 
simplest form, contained enough of marvels, and yet they soon came to look upon 
it as a story that would hardly repay the pains of telling without receiving some 
embellishments of their own. We became, as represented by them, beings more 
resembling the creatures of fable than those of every-day life ; but what probably 
gave their auditors a greater interest in the story was, that the wealth at our 
disposal in the natural resources of the island was said to be almost unlimited. In 
a little while these stories produced their natural results, the tide of emigration 
began to flow in the direction of this remote place ; and the first settlers, unwilling 
to own themselves duped, and perhaps altogether averse to duping others, did 


I 


356 


The Swiss Family Robinson. 


not take particular pains to correct the false impressions which prevailed at home. 
But fortunately this culpable exaggeration on the one side, and equally culpable 
cowardice and deceit on the other, had no very serious results. The settlers, as I 
hope my reader is by this time aware, had not been attracted to a barren spot. 
The island contained abundant resources for the support of a large colony, and as 
those who came out were for the most part not wanting in energy, they soon found 
themselves provided with the necessaries of life, which are comforts to those who 
have known privation. In a little time all the mists which had been raised 
by ignorance and interest were dispersed ; the true state of the island and the real 
nature of our connection with it became known ; the population rajjidly increased ; 
and at the present hour we number more than two thousand souls. 

Ernest and James are wedded to the two amiable daughters of Mr. Wool ton. 

James followed the trade of a shipbuilder, and is at the head of a considerable 
establishment, organised under the superintendence of his father-in-law. His 
gains are rapidly increasing, for in an island community like ours shipbuilding is of 
the first importance, and my son practically enjoys a monopoly of the trade. 

A more splendid destiny seems to be reserved for Ernest. He was always 
of an adventurous character, and, young as he is, he has already returned from his 
second voyage to Europe. He did not land on its shores as a simple sailor ; 
his mind was enriched with a knowledge of natural history, which he had acquired 
mainly from his observations on the island during his boyish rambles j though I am 
bound to adnnt, in justice to myself, that he had been assisted not a little by the 
instruction I had been able to give him, and by the books I had put in his way. 
These acquisitions have made his society extremely valuable to the naturalists 
of Europe, and he has been enrolled a member of several learned bodies. It has 
ever been his custom to impart the knowledge he possesses as freely as though he 
were unconscious of its value, though this is by no means the case, and he has shown 
his accustomed generosity in presenting the museums of London, of France, and 
of Holland with numerous objects hitherto known only by the reports of travellers. 
Idiese spontaneous acts of generosity led to a very warm recognition of his merits 
on the part of those who had benefited by the opportunities for study thus supplied 
to them. My son has been complimented, not to say feted, by many men of learning 
and of position in England ; and I please myself by picturing a future for him 
worthy of his merits and fulfilling my desires. 

Francis, “little” no longer, and handsome as well as tall and stout-built, is 
captain of a merchantman. He is (to use an expressive phrase which I picked up 
during my residence in England) “ every inch a sailor,” and, sailor-like, he regards his 
ship not only as his home and his refuge, but as his bride. In other words, he 
does not think of falling in love and marrying like his brothers, and he laughingly 
announces that his vocation is to be merely “ son ” and “ uncle.” And it would be 
difficult to say in which part he shines most, so admirable does he appear in both. 


Au Bevoir ! 


357 



AU RBVOIRl 


Hib teiiderness and respect for us, liis fatlier and motker, constitute one of the main 
blessings of our declining years ; and his kindness to the children of his brothers 
would almost seem to exceed that of their own parents. He brings them presents 
from all parts of the world, and these are often of such value that they are 
judiciously laid aside by the parents, for the use and enjoyment of the little recipients 



358 


/ 

The Swiss Family Fobinso^t. 


/ 


^ ^ 

when they shall have arrived at a more mature age. Uncle Francis is, therefore, as 
it may easily be supposed, the harbinger of joy in the house for both young and 
old, and his arrival is invariably made the occasion for the liveliest manifestations of 
delight in the family. 

My dear wife and I are old, no doubt — at least we are bound to believe it 
when we consult our mirror, though, thank Heaven, we find no special intimation of 
the fact in our hearts. The freshness of feeling of our youth has been permitted 
to remain to us, and in caressing our children’s children we seem to forget the time 
that has passed away since we fondled our own. Our sons, too, are still our 
“ boys,” in spite of the fact that the gravity engendered in them by the cares and 
responsibilities of an active life sometimes makes them seem older than ourselves — 
according to the good-humoured banter of our Mends. It is an unspeakable 
pride to us to see them all doing well in the world ; industrious, handsome to look 
upon, content with their lot, esteemed and worthy to be esteemed by their ac- 
quaintance, beloved and revered by their children and by all whom Providence has 
made dependent on their bounty or their care. 

And when the time shall come for us to render up our souls to the Sovereign 
Lord of all, we shall be found ready. The grand voyage — that which leads us 
to God — has no anxieties for those who during their whole lives have loved and 
served and honoured him — those who never knew without a keen sense of in- 
gratitude what it was to doubt his mercy and his loving-kindness. 



in M rn A 















(T 
; t> 

I 





i ■ — - t » 

-. '»^- 





^T' 


^ 'J i' 




» ♦ 


' ' » 


«* > 


■i ./' 


V 


> .'I 

■ '> '• . * 


X: ■ - 


> n/ 


• j 












.^V"5<; -l||. * rj* 

I • ' ^ \ ■*•’ '1 





- k 




♦ •• 


* • •,* ^ "jk-f *'^' 

,1 . ;f ■-•, *'i^^^-', \A 

t .. . •* ^ ■:a li ' ' . .. _x/. 





« • s 


n. 


'H i'-,' 

•ffi’ •' . ruff 



' • •'i; 

'fPi 


'*1 

•f* 1 



.:>j}-‘' 


.i:- 


\r 


s. 


t 


■ \' Vi 






f 



< y .\ij 


iiy 4 *<’ 


V 


^ .< 




rA* 









f 


A ''.2;t- fiyl 

: Si^ tff ■■ 

' m: 

^*9 * Si 

.. \v_ '<v.^ 



1 


, V* ' 

•’ f . " VV', ,• jj<r IfSL 

> . ‘J. ■ . V 


)i 






"hIJ 


•"r ' ■ •- 'f \iV^' i 'i 

^'M 




ijfTUw'i:'* .. ’:! O J 

^a' 




tiP -' * * •f*''' - 

‘w ' 

V' -'..v ' 






■ ?' 

4i- , ••! ’ 


' * . -'ll ‘ t' 

rV ■- ' ^ 


; : -ifi , .V l■■^■.^'}'3^A,,,'. ^4 


.1 H. 


I V 




, t if/. X • 

IT ■ ) i#, \ ^ u- 

_ * I ' . ■* 1 


.* I 



^ *j 


r » 


g|T . ^ 


■— • 

r 




41*1 


^!\ 


y% 


j ^ 


FTi 


^ f 






i 


:»**.. -lIWIjL 




* ' •» 5! 


v^ % 




